Position Description

Academic Job Description

School of Integrative Plant Science

Horticulture Section

Postdoctoral Associate

 The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Position Function     

The lab of Urban Plant Ecology at Cornell University is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to lead research projects. This work will primarily involve conducting large-scale data synthesis projects to better understand the drivers of urban metacommunities and biodiversity patterns. In particular, the lab is interested in understanding the drivers of biotic heterogeneity in urban environments and the spatial/temporal dynamics of these drivers. This will involve working with pre-existing data collected by the lab, as well as collaborator data and publicly available data from an array of cities. As such, the postdoc should have strong experience working with large datasets, modeling ecological data, and maintaining national/international collaborations. The postdoc will have a relatively high degree of autonomy in developing research projects and directions, in concert with Aaron Sexton, lab PI. If interested, the postdoc could also join in data collection in ongoing field research projects, but this will not encompass a majority of the researcher’s time. Opportunities exist for informal mentoring of graduate and undergraduate research students. Start date is expected to be November 2025. This position will be located in Ithaca, New York with the potential of working a hybrid schedule, depending on needs. More information about the lab is available on the website at https://aaronsexton.com/ .

Anticipated Division of Time

• Conduct independent and collaborative research to meet project goals. Predominantly data synthesis work, but potentially also some field work. (70%)

• Meet with collaborators and stakeholders to facilitate research projects.(10%)

• Mentor graduate student research. (10%)

• Present results at academic/extension and popular seminars. (5%)

•  Other position-related responsibilities (5%):

-       Participate in general project management

-       Establish and maintain a safe, productive, and respectful working environment that fosters a culture of inclusivity and teamwork.

-       Engage in ongoing academic and intellectual life within CALS and Cornell University.

Requirements

• PhD in ecology, quantitative ecology, applied statistics, or a related field with strong background in data science, statistics and model development.

• Ability to conduct original research, from conception to completion/publication.

• Knowledge of ecology and ecological systems.

• Knowledge of urban ecosystems and urban ecology is preferred.

• Experience with R, Python, or other programming languages, as well as QGIS/ESRI spatial software.

• Experience working with large datasets and platforms such as GBIF, iNaturalist & GitHub. •Experience with field ecology and field-collected ecological datasets is preferred.

• Experience mentoring graduate students is preferred.

• Strong communication skills and proficiency in spoken and written English.

Supervision Exercised

This position may supervise students. Opportunities exist for informal mentoring of graduate and undergraduate research students.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30298).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring rate for this position is $62,232.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

With a founding principle of “any person, any study,” Cornell is an equal opportunity employer.