Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Staff Associate (Grant Funded)

This position is an exempt, APA unit position and is subject to the terms of that union agreement. Appointment Terms This is a grant-funded APA position. The current grant is expected to support up to five years of work. Continuation or renewal beyond the initial appointment period may be possible, subject to continued funding, satisfactory performance, and the terms and conditions of the APA collective bargaining agreement. Tour of Duty Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, some nights, and weekends. On-site and in the field as project needs dictate. The duty schedule will be field-intensive from May through July, with a more flexible schedule during the remainder of the year focused on data processing, modeling, writing, and mentoring. Essential Duties Plan and conduct repeated field visits to multiple sites in southeastern Massachusetts. Deploy and maintain automated trail cameras; conduct small-mammal surveys. Collect ticks and small-mammal tissue samples following approved protocols. Train and co-supervise graduate and undergraduate students in field methods and safety. Develop and implement multi-species dynamic occupancy models (including models estimating occupancy, colonization, and extinction processes through time), build complementary statistical and geospatial models of host distributions, and establish reproducible pipelines to ingest and harmonize open-source biodiversity data (e.g., via eBird and iNaturalist) with required attribution/terms compliance. Disseminate results through national conference presentations and will co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts with the project team. Required Qualifications PhD in ecology, wildlife biology, epidemiology, quantitative biology, biostatistics, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience with quantitative modeling (e.g., occupancy or hierarchical models), statistical programming (R, Python, Javascript, julia), and reproducible workflows (version control, documented code, and data management). Demonstrated ability to conduct field work in variable conditions, coordinate multi-site sampling, and train/supervise students safely and effectively. Evidence of independent research productivity (peer-reviewed publications), effective scientific writing, and oral communication skills. Experience conducting field research in wildlife ecology is required, including study design, data collection, and adherence to biosafety and animal handling protocols. Demonstrate strong organizational skills, meticulous data management practices, and the ability to coordinate multi-site research activities. Preferred Qualifications Experience in one or more of the following: camera-trap study design and analysis; small-mammal and bird live-trapping, handling, and biosafety; tick collection from life hosts, host blood draw, and identification workflows. Spatial analysis and GIS (e.g., raster/vector processing, habitat covariates, spatial prediction). Bayesian hierarchical modeling and/or advanced occupancy modeling (multi-species and/or dynamic). Experience accessing biodiversity data via APIs and integrating heterogeneous open datasets while meeting attribution/terms requirements (e.g., eBird). Experience in mentoring graduate or undergraduate students in research. Work Environment Bridgewater State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please complete and submit this electronic form: Special Conditions for Eligibility Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State University is an E-Verify employer. This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship. EEO Statement Bridgewater State University is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law. Salary Range: $65,000–$70,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr Latortugaviva