Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Biological Sciences

CSU Careers • San Luis, CA

12d • $68,004

About The Position

The Bailey College of Science and Mathematics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is seeking a Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the area of Biological Sciences. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will work with Dr. Emily Taylor. The research focuses on snake behavior, human-wildlife conflict, and community science. In addition, the Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellow will help mentor undergraduate and graduate students and will have the opportunity to teach classes by separate assignment as a part-time lecturer. This position will begin Summer or Fall 2026 according to candidate’s availability. The term of employment is one-year, with a second-year possible based on performance and funding. The annual salary for this position is anticipated to be between $68,004, with full benefits, plus a travel allowance. This position is supplemented by separate assignment pay as a part-time lecturer for the teaching assignments. Specific responsibilities will include: Manage and lead community science-informed research on snake behavior, human-wildlife conflict, and the sociology of human-rattlesnake interactions via the community science platform Project RattleCam (www.RattleCam.org). Propose and conduct research projects based on the laboratory’s earlier work on rattlesnake behavior and conservation biology. Propose and write manuscripts based on the conducted research. Work with mentors in developing research project goals, including writing manuscripts and grant applications. Participate in professional development activities, including attending national conferences. Directly supervise research staff, including undergraduate and graduate students. Receive mentorship and training in effective teaching practices and teach at least 1 undergraduate course during the fellowship under the mentorship of experienced faculty (paid by additional assignment as a part-time lecturer). About the Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellow Program The Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellowship program is designed to allow recent Ph.D. graduates gain valuable experience in both research and teaching. Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellows will have the time, space, and support to build an impactful line of research and gain experience in mentoring undergraduate students within research and teaching contexts. Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellows will be mentored by experienced faculty and have opportunities to engage in research and teaching in a vibrant, supportive scholarly community. Research Fellows will develop critical research skills as well as learn to mentor undergraduates and integrate research in undergraduate teaching. These experiences will be invaluable to postdoctoral candidates seeking to make progress toward research and teaching careers in academia. The program is part of a larger vision spurred by William and Linda Frost, whose $110 million commitment to the College of Science and Mathematics is supporting undergraduate research so that many more students will engage in meaningful research and have the same transformational experience of discovery Mr. Frost had as a student at Cal Poly. The Frost Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is a key component of a strategy to elevate our already highly-regarded undergraduate science teaching and research programs to further renown. The Frost Fund also supports equipment, facilities, scholarships, and student and faculty support for research. About the University Founded in 1901, Cal Poly is one of only five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the nation, with approximately 22,000 undergraduates, 120 postbaccalaureate, and 900 graduate students. In 2023, Cal Poly not only marked its 29th year in a row as the #1 public non-doctoral institution in the West but was designated for the first time as the #1 non-doctoral institution, private or public, in the West by U.S News & World Report. Also in 2023, Cal Poly was rated by Money Magazine as one of only 34 5-star universities in the country; it is the only California State University on this prestigious list, where it joins the California Institute of Technology, Stanford, and several University of California campuses. A primarily undergraduate university, Cal Poly offers academically focused students 66 baccalaureate degrees and 27 master's degrees. Operating on the semester calendar system starting Fall 2026, Cal Poly takes pride in its "Learn-by-Doing" approach to teaching and learning, which has characterized Cal Poly since its founding. One of the 23 campuses of the California State University system, Cal Poly has a statewide mandate as a polytechnic university. Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation and uses all of its land holdings in active support of its educational programs. Cal Poly is located in historic San Luis Obispo, a city of 47,000, 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's scenic Central Coast. With excellent public education resources, recreational facilities and an expanding dedication to the arts, the area is known for its scenic landscapes and extraordinarily temperate climate.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in biology, sociology, or a closely related field.
• Desire to learn new skills and work in teams including students, researchers, and faculty.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and statistical software such as R.
• Experience with writing peer-reviewed scientific articles.
• Ability to prioritize, plan, organize, and meet timelines.
• Ability to lead others in managing tasks; train and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationship with others.
• Excellent verbal and written skills and the ability to interface with all levels of staff, university community, including students, faculty and staff, and the public.
• Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead community science-informed research on snake behavior, human-wildlife conflict, and the sociology of human-rattlesnake interactions via the community science platform Project RattleCam (www.RattleCam.org).
• Propose and conduct research projects based on the laboratory’s earlier work on rattlesnake behavior and conservation biology.
• Propose and write manuscripts based on the conducted research.
• Work with mentors in developing research project goals, including writing manuscripts and grant applications.
• Participate in professional development activities, including attending national conferences.
• Directly supervise research staff, including undergraduate and graduate students.
• Receive mentorship and training in effective teaching practices and teach at least 1 undergraduate course during the fellowship under the mentorship of experienced faculty (paid by additional assignment as a part-time lecturer)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees