Job Description: Start date is as soon as possible. The postdoctoral researcher will primarily work on a project funded by NOAA National Integrated Drought Information System to advance planning for ecological drought. The project will integrate regionally-relevant information on ecological drought, recognizing known linkages among drought and wildfire risk, water sustainability, and ecosystem dynamics, to develop a drought response framework for natural resource managers. Using a scenario-based approach, we will develop a structured decision support process to guide adaptation strategies and responses to extreme precipitation variability and drought. The postdoctoral researcher will be based at San Diego State University (SDSU) and will work under the direction of Megan Jennings (SDSU) along with collaborators Rebecca Lewison (SDSU) and Amber Pairis (Desert Research Institute & Climate Science Alliance). The project may require travel within California. Model development and analysis will include: development of a conceptual framework for drought decision making, multi-metric evaluation and integration, and development of a decision support tool for natural resource managers. The postdoc may also participate in similar work for a NASA-funded project to support Tribal decision making for fire preparedness and cultural burning.
Qualifications: We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in decision making models and methods and spatial decision support systems to advance climate adaptation planning and implementation in response to drought and wildfires. A PhD is required as well as strong spatial analyses and programming skills. The candidate must be fluent in R and GIS. The candidate should be able to work both independently and in a collaborative setting with project stakeholders at a variety of natural resource management organizations and Tribal governments or organizations. Familiarity with the Southern California ecosystems is desirable.
Appointment: 75-100% time appointment for one year from start date, with the possibility for additional year(s) of funding contingent upon performance. Salary is approximately $64,000 a year plus benefits (DOE).
To apply: Please send your letter of interest, CV, and contact information for three references to Megan Jennings at mjennings@sdsu.edu with "Decision Support Postdoc" in the email subject heading. The position will remain open until filled, but application review will commence on June 12, 2023. San Diego State University is an equal opportunity employer.