Post Doctoral Fellow - AI in Natural Resources / Environment (McCrary Fellow)

Auburn University • Auburn, AL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment at Auburn University invites applications for the McCrary Postdoctoral Fellow, a unique opportunity for an early-career scholar to drive innovation at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and natural resource/environment management. This position aims to foster collaborative research, including proposal development with our faculty in Forestry, Wildlife, and Environmental Sciences. This is a two-year postdoctoral position, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability.
The McCrary Postdoctoral Fellow will be a key contributor to advancing AI applications within natural resources. This role primarily involves collaborating with faculty members across the college to develop competitive grant proposals, perform data collection and analysis, and other research outputs that integrate AI methodologies into research related to forestry, wildlife conservation, environmental science, and related fields. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise to identify opportunities, design research frameworks, and contribute to the writing and submission of proposals and/or papers. This position offers significant intellectual freedom and the chance to shape novel research directions.
The McCrary Fellow will report to the McCrary Endowed Professor, who will serve as a mentor, providing guidance on project prioritization, time management, and navigating collaborative opportunities within the college. This mentorship is designed to support the Fellow in effectively engaging with multiple faculty interests and maximizing their impact on proposal development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Environmental Science, Forestry, Wildlife Ecology, Geography, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related discipline with a strong emphasis on AI/machine learning at the time the position begins.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying AI techniques to real-world datasets, preferably within the natural sciences.
• Strong track record of research, as evidenced by publications or significant contributions to research projects.
• Experience in grant proposal writing and development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex AI concepts to a wide audience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time of the appointment and be able to continue working legally for the proposed term of employment.
• Familiarity with natural resource management concepts and challenges.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in AI/data science (e.g., Python, R).

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and engage with faculty members across the College interested in integrating AI into their research.
• Collaborate in the conceptualization, design, and writing of grant proposals (e.g., NSF, USDA, DOE, DoD, foundations) focusing on AI applications in natural resource challenges.
• Contribute expertise in various AI techniques (e.g., machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, natural language processing, predictive modeling) relevant to environmental data analysis, remote sensing, ecological modeling, conservation planning, and sustainable resource management.
• Assist in developing research methodologies and experimental designs for proposed projects.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI and natural resource science to identify emerging research opportunities.
• Participate in relevant college seminars, workshops, and research group meetings.

Benefits

• Generous benefits
• Educational opportunities
• A culture of support and work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree