Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Research Foundation of The City University of New York • New York, NY

2d • $62,700 • Onsite

About The Position

The Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, City University of New York and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) invite applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Fellow. This role will join an interdisciplinary working group focusing on exploring the consequences of human climate migration for biodiversity globally, and avenues for coexistence with priority wildlife species in four focal countries (Colombia, Tanzania, Mongolia, and China). This project is funded by the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP), a joint initiative of WCS and The Nature Conservancy that advances evidence-based, scalable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges at the intersection of nature conservation, sustainable development, and human well-being.

Requirements

• PhD in Ecology, Geography, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
• Strong quantitative skills (e.g., ecological and/or demographic modeling, geospatial analysis, remote sensing, ML/AI, statistical analysis).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research.
• Record of publishing high-quality science in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Strong quantitative background.
• Experience with large-scale geospatial analysis and ecological modeling.
• Interest in human migration and complex human-wildlife interactions.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and coordination skills.
• Motivation to contribute to science that informs applied conservation outcomes.
• Experience coordinating working groups and convening meetings.
• International experience in one or more of the focal countries.
• Experience with climate models, projections, and scenarios, and data products that use climate data to make predictions.
• Experience at the nexus of human migration/mobility, governance, sustainable development, and conflict.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams of researchers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research (75%) including a global assessment to identify hotspots where projected human climate migration and population growth correspond with important areas for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Conduct regional assessments of the impacts and opportunities for the conservation of priority species in four diverse landscapes, informed by a literature review of internal migration and population growth, focusing on emergent governance structures relevant to natural resources management under a changing climate.
• Create a framework for engagement with communities and policymakers and inform existing efforts in conservation, development, migration, and adaptation planning in future phases of the project.
• Integrate multiple global and regional datasets, including refining and applying spatially explicit projections of human climate migration developed by the World Bank and utilizing data on biodiversity, protected areas, Key Biodiversity Areas, critical natural assets, areas of high ecological integrity, and projections of human population growth.
• Lead coordination of an established international SNAPP working group, consisting of over 20 experts in biodiversity, sustainability, migration, and resource management from across the focal countries and beyond, to incorporate regional insights, data, and priorities into an analytical framework and the development of tailored resilience plans.
• Interact closely with all working group members through regular (quarterly) virtual meetings.
• Lead the coordination of site-based meetings in each focal country (Colombia, Mongolia, China, and Tanzania).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• RFCUNY Employee Benefits and Accruals

What This Job Offers

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