Postdoctoral Researcher

Position Details

Position Information


Announcement Number
STAFF - VA - 27119


For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dr. Travis Belote Assistant Professor
View email address on click.appcast.io

Classification Title
Postdoctoral Researcher


Working Title
Postdoctoral Researcher


Brief Position Overview


The Department of Ecology at Montana State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to lead a collaborative research program assessing recreation ecology and its application to federal public lands management. This position is funded through a Mutual Benefit Agreement between MSU and the USDA Forest Service Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute (ALWRI), Missoula, MT.

Position Number
4C6540


Department
Ecology


Division
College of Letters & Science


Appointment Type
Professional


Contract Term
Fiscal Year


Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA
Exempt


Union Affiliation
Exempt from Collective Bargaining


FTE
1.0


Benefits Eligible
Eligible


Salary
$60,000 - $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications


Contract Type
LOA


If other, please specify

Recruitment Type
Open

Position Details


General Statement


As recreational use of public lands increases, managers need scientific guidance to balance recreation access with ecological protection. This project will synthesize and advance the state of recreation ecology science to better inform management decision-making, with a focus on federally designated Wilderness and similarly protected areas. Research themes include:

• Developing a contemporary conceptual framework to help managers address challenges associated with recreation ecology within areas of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
• Characterizing trade-offs between recreational use and ecological conditions at multiple spatial and temporal scales.
• Evaluating management concerns related to recreation impacts on natural resources (water quality, vegetation, soils, wildlife).
• Proposing novel adaptive approaches to recreation in wilderness areas.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive literature review on the state of science in recreation ecology.
• Review management plans and guidance documents to evaluate how recreation ecology influences land management decisions.
• Engage with federal public land managers to understand decision-making processes and information needs.
• Identify and compile secondary datasets (monitoring records, visitor use data, trail locations) relevant to recreation impacts.
• Design and conduct novel analyses using existing data to generate insights into relationships between recreation and ecological responses.
• Lead writing of at least one peer-reviewed manuscript and one manager-oriented report.
• Archive project data in accordance with federal data management requirements.
• Present findings to managers, agency partners, and scientific audiences.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. PhD in ecology, conservation biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or a closely related field by start date.
2. Experience with literature synthesis or systematic review methods.
3. Strong quantitative skills and experience with statistical analysis or spatial data.
4. Demonstrated experience or potential for translating scientific research and technical information into written and oral presentations for scientific and practitioner audiences.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Background in recreation ecology, visitor use management, or protected area management.
2. Experience working with or for federal land management agencies (USFS, BLM, NPS, or USFWS).
3. Familiarity with wilderness policy and the National Wilderness Preservation System.
4. Proficiency in R, Python, or GIS platforms.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, including writing for both scientific and practitioner audiences.
• Have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Represent the department, college, and university to others in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This position is contingent upon continued grant funding. Funding is currently anticipated through December 31, 2029.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?
Yes

Posting Detail Information


Number of Vacancies
1


Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.


Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:


Screening of applications will begin on October 30, 2026 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

As part of your application, please upload the following required documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Cover Letter describing research background and interest in the position (max 2 pages)
3. One writing sample (published paper, dissertation chapter, or report)

References: All applicants will be required to provide a minimum of three references as part of the application process. Applicants who have not completed a PhD at the time of application should provide at least one reference who can speak about their progress toward completing the degree.

EEO Statement


Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.