Postdoctoral Associate - Synthesis of Lake Ecosystem Metabolism

This is a full time, exempt, fully benefitted position. The starting salary is $74,263.

Position summary

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies invites applications for a postdoctoral associate in aquatic ecosystem ecology. The postdoc will collaborate on a new four-year NSF-funded project that seeks to characterize patterns of ecosystem metabolism in lake ecosystems and to explain how and why they vary through time and around the world. This project is assembling a global database of ecosystem metabolism and related data spanning hundreds of lakes and hundreds of thousands of lake-days ( and the postdoc’s primary role will be to conduct synthesis analyses using that database.

The initial appointment is for one year, with possibility of extension based on performance. The anticipated start date is on or around 4 January 2027. The position is based at the Cary Institute in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York, a short way north of New York City. The Cary Institute is home to a diverse, vibrant, and supportive community of colleagues.

Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Chris Solomon at the Cary Institute. Questions about the project may be directed to Dr. Solomon or to the other principal investigators on the project: Dr. Isabella Oleksy (Univ. of Colorado – Boulder), Dr. Kathie Weathers (Cary Institute), Dr. Paul Hanson (Univ. of Wisconsin), and Dr. Stuart Jones (Annis Water Resources Institute).

Essential responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute scientific research in collaboration with the project team and other contributors.
• Present research findings in peer-reviewed papers, at scientific meetings, and in other forums.
• Design and run a limited number of workshops to introduce the database to a broad user base.
• Contribute to project leadership and management.

Required qualifications

Applicants should have excellent quantitative skills and experience working with large data sets, and should have a strong conceptual background in ecosystem ecology, aquatic ecology, and/or limnology. They should have a record of publishing thoughtful, synthetic peer-reviewed research. They should be both self-motivated and collaborative, with good project management skills and the ability to thrive working alone, as a team leader, or as a team member. The successful applicant must have completed a PhD in a relevant field before starting this position.

Preferred qualifications

Experience estimating ecosystem metabolism in lakes or other systems. Experience with time series clustering, machine learning, general additive models, linear and non-linear hierarchical regression models, and/or maximum likelihood methods. Experience leading and/or contributing to collaborative large-scale synthesis projects.

Working conditions

The work is office-based. Occasional travel is required. The Cary Institute operates on a 35 hour work week.

Closing date

Review of applications will begin 28 September 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

To apply

Visit our website at and complete our online job application. Submit a single file containing a cover letter, names and contact information for three professional references, and a curriculum vitae.

The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, familial status, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.