Post Doc Res Assoc - Zoology & Physiology

University of Wyoming • Laramie, NY

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Zimova Lab at the University of Wyoming seeks a postdoctoral researcher to lead analyses for an NSF-sponsored collaborative project focused on animal camouflage and global change. The position will use global camera-trap data to investigate camouflage mismatch, phenotypic plasticity, predator communities, and wildlife responses to changing snow and climate. The project draws on hundreds of thousands of georeferenced wildlife camera-trap images, remotely sensed climate and snow data, vegetation phenology, and habitat data. The successful candidate will use AI-derived image products—including animal color, background color, and camouflage mismatch—to conduct comparative analyses across taxa, space, and time.

Potential research questions include how camouflage varies across space and taxa, whether phenotypic plasticity reduces camouflage mismatch, and how predator communities and snow decline shape vulnerability to climate change. The postdoctoral researcher will be encouraged to pursue synthetic, independent research aligned with the project's broader goals and may develop additional questions using the dataset and collaborative partnership. The Zimova Lab studies wildlife responses to rapid environmental change, including when evolutionary change and phenotypic plasticity may help populations adapt to climate-related stressors.

The postdoc will be mentored by Dr. Marketa Zimova and collaborate closely with Dr. Roland Kays at North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Dr. Alexej Siren at the University of North Dakota, and an international network of collaborators. The role is primarily focused on ecological and evolutionary research, with possible opportunities to contribute to AI image-processing tools, workflow development, and fieldwork. The position is on campus in Laramie, Wyoming.

The University of Wyoming offers retirement contributions, medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid sick leave and holidays, paid winter closure, tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents, and wellness, counseling, and mental health resources. Applications remain open until the position is filled; completed applications received by December 1, 2026, will receive full consideration.

Requirements

• A PhD in ecology, wildlife biology, quantitative ecology, data science, geography, computational biology, environmental science, or a related field; applicants currently pursuing a doctoral degree may be considered if they complete it before starting work.
• A valid driver's license and a motor vehicle record compliant with the University's Driving for University Business requirements.
• Applicants must provide the average hours worked per week for all current and previous positions; relevant part-time experience is prorated based on hours worked.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing and analyzing large, complex ecological datasets.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced quantitative approaches such as hierarchical ecological modeling, Bayesian inference, dynamic occupancy modeling, species distribution modeling, spatiotemporal modeling, or activity pattern analysis.
• Proficiency in R and/or Python and a strong commitment to reproducible research practices.
• A strong record of scientific publication in peer-reviewed journals, including at least one first-author publication.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work productively within multi-institution collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects.
• Publish papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and project meetings.
• Help mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Conduct comparative analyses using AI-derived camera-trap image data and remotely sensed environmental data.
• Collaborate with project partners and international contributors.

Benefits

• Retirement contributions: the State contributes 15.19% of gross salary and the employee contributes 3.93%, totaling 19.12%.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions and four deductible options.
• Sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure.
• Tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents.
• Wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources.

What This Job Offers

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