Duke University, Biology
Position ID:
Duke-Biology-PD_JL1 [#31549]
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Associate
Position Type:
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States of America
Subject Area:
Appl Deadline:
2026/03/31 11:59PM
(posted 2026/01/21, listed until 2026/03/31)
(posted 2026/01/21, listed until 2026/03/31)Position Description:
Position Description
Job Classification: Postdoctoral Associate Job Title: SCALES Postdoctoral Fellow Department: Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Location: Durham, NC Start Date: Flexible between July 1 and September 1, 2026 Position Summary The SCALES (Scholars for Climate and Advanced Leadership in Environment and Sustainability) Postdoctoral Fellows Program at Duke University seeks early-career scholars committed to interdisciplinary research and leadership in climate, environment, and sustainability. Fellows will collaborate with faculty mentors to co-create high-impact research projects and contribute to climate-focused educational initiatives across the university. About the SCALES Postdoctoral Fellows Program The SCALES Postdoctoral Fellows Program is a newly launched cohort-based initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in climate and sustainability research and education. Fellows join a vibrant interdisciplinary community, participate in professional development activities, and collaborate across departments to advance Duke’s Climate Commitment. The program emphasizes faculty-mentored research, teaching innovation, and public engagement, providing Fellows with resources and networks to launch impactful careers. To learn more about the SCALES Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, visit our program page: https://climate.duke.edu/what-were-doing/scales-postdoctoral-fellows-program/. Key Responsibilities Research Collaboration: Co-develop and lead a faculty-mentored research project addressing a significant climate, environment, or sustainability challenge. Projects must demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches. A final research proposal and budget will be developed in conjunction with the Fellow following their arrival. This is meant to allow the Fellow to shape the project’s research direction. The preliminary description of the research project is: Increases in the size, frequency, and severity of wildfires are driving large-scale conversion of forests to shrublands across the western U.S. Despite the scale of this issue and its acceleration under climate change, we lack the understanding of ‘shrubification’ necessary to effectively mitigate its ecological and hydrological impacts. The SCALES fellow will co-design and lead an interdisciplinary project to (i) quantify the current extent of forest conversion and its impact on key hydrologic dynamics like evapotranspiration and streamflow; (ii) develop predictive models to quantify shrubification risk; and (iii) investigate the implications of shrubification for water markets and policy. Teaching & Engagement: Contribute to climate fluency and sustainability education through course development, teaching, or participation in university-wide initiatives such as Climate+, Bass Connections, and DukeEngage. The proposed teaching & engagement responsibilities for this position are: The fellow will also design and lead initiatives that advance climate and wildfire fluency within and beyond Duke. This may include developing and teaching a semester-long course, Wildfires and Society, which explores the ecological, historical, and social dimensions of wildfire through classroom and field experiences. The fellow may also lead a Climate+ summer data science project integrating wildfire-risk data, including that produced through the research project, into an interactive decision-support tool for managers and policymakers. Together, these activities will provide opportunities for the fellow to gain teaching and outreach skills while translating their research into education and policy. SCALES Cohort Participation: Engage in cohort-wide programming, seminars, and networking events organized by the Office of Climate and Sustainability. Faculty Mentors The primary faculty mentor for this position is: • Jacob Levine, Department of Biology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Additional mentors include: • Tong Qiu, Environmental Natural Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment • Martin Doyle, Environmental Social Systems, Nicholas School of the Environment • Nathaniel Chaney, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering Qualifications • Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in ecology, forestry, natural resource economics, civil and environmental engineering, geography, or related fields. • Degree must be conferred by the start of the fellowship. Applicants should be no more than two years past Ph.D. as of July 1, 2026. • Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary approaches to climate, environment, or sustainability challenges. • Required skills: o Strong quantitative background, with expertise in one or more of the following: statistical modeling, machine learning, remote sensing, econometrics, land surface modeling, geospatial statistics. o Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and publish high-quality work in peer-reviewed journals. o Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas to scientists, practitioners, and policymakers. o Teaching experience at the university level (e.g. course design, lectures, leading labs/discussion sections). • Preferred skills: o Comfort working in field settings. o Prior involvement in managing or contributing to large, interdisciplinary research teams or projects. Program Details & Benefits This is a full-time position available with an initial appointment of one year, renewable for up to two additional years contingent on satisfactory performance. The start date is flexible between July 1 and September 1, 2026. Duke University offers a competitive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement contributions, employee discounts, vacation and sick time, and more. Please review Duke University’s Benefits Program website and the Summary of Postdoctoral Status and Benefits for more information. Fellows are additionally supported by the Office of Postdoctoral Services. Application Process Interested applicants should submit the following materials: · Cover letter that addresses your interest in the position, your research and teaching experience, and how this opportunity aligns with your career goals. · Curriculum Vitae · Contact information for three references Priority will be given to applications received by February 15, 2026.Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: