Job Description

A two-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in the Franke College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana (UM) to be coadvised by PIs of the Avian Science Center and Rangeland Ecology laboratories. The project is focused on the interplay of bison grazing, invasive plants, and songbirds and is donor funded.

Songbirds associated with grasslands and shrublands have shown long-term population declines, largely due to habitat fragmentation and changes in land use. Historically, bison created a vegetative gradient that facilitated effective songbird habitat, yet contemporary bison grazing differs from historic, where bison are now restricted to much smaller and socially accepted areas, such as those within the Yellowstone Ecosystem. Further, the introduction of invasive plants may alter, or be altered by, bison movement by affecting forage availability and altering grazing patterns. Such adds to the complexity of the contemporary ecological role of bison in providing vegetative gradients to promote the conservation of declining grassland and shrubland songbirds. Within this framework, the successful candidate will work at the intersection of bison grazing and invasive plants on songbirds across invaded and native plant-dominated sites in the Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Project Overview

This postdoctoral researcher will lead the development and application of research to address effective conservation of the Yellowstone Ecosystem. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collect field related data and synthesize existing datasets as they relate to bison grazing, invasive plants, and songbirds.

Working closely with project PIs and stakeholders, the successful candidate will co-design analyses that address pressing conservation questions, such as:

• How does the intensity of bison grazing influence plant communities?
• How does bison grazing directly and indirectly influence songbird communities?
• How do our conservation efforts influence the relationship between bison, birds, and invasive plants?

Outcomes will directly inform conservation efforts in the Yellowstone Ecosystem and ecological interactions at a broader scale. This position also will contribute to science communication across a diverse audience and range of communication avenues.

Project Outcomes and Impact

This position provides an excellent opportunity to address real conservation issues through basic and applied ecological frameworks. Using the Yellowstone Ecosystem as a living laboratory, the postdoctoral researcher will:

• Develop peer reviewed publications to move our understanding of complex ecological interactions forward.
• Communicate findings through a variety of avenues.
• Contribute directly to local, regional, and/or national conservation planning efforts.

This project sits at the intersection of basic ecology, conservation planning, and environmental management, offering both scientific innovation and immediate real-world application.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and apply field based experimental questions in bison grazed areas in the Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• Integrate empirical and modeled data to assess conservation strategies and guide management actions.
• Collaborate within, and across, agency, NGO, and private landowner stakeholders to address real world conservation concerns.
• Lead preparation of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations for scientific, management, and non-scientific audiences.
• Present findings at conferences and conservation meetings.

Position Details

This position is full-time (1.0 FTE), Letter of Appointment, and includes a comprehensive benefits package with health insurance, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Salary: $65,000 to $75,000 depending on experience and availability of funding
Appointment Length: 2 years
Preferred Start Date: April 2026
Location: University of Montana, Missoula, MT

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• PhD (by start date) in wildlife biology, ecology, conservation biology, landscape or spatial ecology, quantitative biology, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in applied and/or theoretical ecological research.
• Strong coding proficiency in one or more of the following: R, Jags, Nimble, Python, etc.
• Proven record of peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and effective scientific communication.
• Strong collaboration, coordination, and communication skills across academic, agency, and NGO partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with experimental design and facilitating ecological research questions
• Experience with temperate grasslands or shrublands ecosystems
• Demonstrated ability to bridge ecological theory and applied conservation contexts.

Application Instructions

Screening of applications is ongoing and will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

To apply, please upload the following materials:

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Montana (UM) is an equal opportunity employer. UM does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.