Cornell University, Lab of Ornithology

Position ID:
Cornell-Lab-CAP15_POSTDOC_WATERFOWL2 [#24404, WDR-00031362]
Position Title: 
Postdoctoral Associate: Informing Waterfowl Management and Conservation using eBird Data - Lab of Ornithology
Position Type:
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Ithaca, New York 14850, United States of America
Subject Areas: 
Statistics
Ecology / Quantitative Ecology
Salary Range:
$55,341 - $65,000
Appl Deadline:
finished (2023/02/23, finished 2023/10/31, listed until 2023/08/22)
Position Description:
   

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***
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Postdoctoral Associate: Informing waterfowl management and conservation using eBird data
Center for Avian Population Studies
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

About us:

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and other renowned professionals direct twelve world-class, mission-driven programs. The Center for Avian Population Studies (CAPS) is one of the major programmatic units at the Lab, collecting and disseminating biodiversity data to enhance the information and decision-making tools available to conservationists and scientific researchers. We achieve this by producing scientific, computational, and big data resources that transform how we understand and protect the world around us.

The Cornell Lab is home to a vibrant community of several dozen postdoctoral associates working across all twelve programs. We strive to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for this community that fosters personal growth and career advancement. 

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. 
Cornell Core values 

Job description:

We seek a Postdoctoral Associate interested in statistical modeling, natural resource decision-making, conservation, and management. The incumbent will explore using eBird Status and Trends (S&T) products and eBird raw data to inform waterfowl conservation and management planning in support of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP). This project is a partnership with researchers at the Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, Forbes Biological Field Station, Louisiana State University, and the NAWMP Science Support Team.  The postdoctoral associate will be advised by Dr. Orin Robinson. Project objectives include:

  1. Assessing the level of agreement between professionally collected data and eBird or eBird S&T products across multiple geographies, spatial and temporal scales, and species. 

  2. Evaluating the use of eBird and/or eBird S&T in bioenergetics models that inform regional waterfowl conservation planning, such as those employed by migratory bird joint ventures. We will compare model output to those run with traditionally collected data to determine how management decisions may change depending on the data set.

  3. Investigating differences in the information provided by each data set, using lessons learned to integrate the data in distribution, population density, and bioenergetics models for waterfowl.

  4. Examining how current eBird S&T models perform on species that form large aggregations (e.g., waterfowl, shorebirds) during the annual cycle and testing alternative models that may provide more accurate predictions than the current eBird S&T modeled product.

  5. Exploring methods for integrating eBird S&T and/or estimates from newer models developed under objective 4 with independent data sources for analyses to inform conservation action.

In addition to outside partners the postdoctoral associate will be working closely with scientists in the Information Science and Technology, Bird Population Studies, and Conservation Science programs within CAPS. We encourage postdoctoral associates to explore related research questions and collaborate on projects conducted in the Lab and with partners.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Develop methods for and applications of eBird, eBird Status and Trends, and professionally collected survey data to meet project goals (50%).

  • Present results at professional meetings, conferences, and popular seminars. Prepare peer reviewed papers and other research products, including reports and relevant information to partners. (20%)

  • Research and engaging with funders. (10%)

  • Engage in ongoing academic and intellectual life within the Conservation Science and Information Science Programs at the Lab of Ornithology and at Cornell University, Ducks Unlimited, Forbes Biological Field Station, Louisiana State University, and NAWMP Science Support Team. (10%)

  • Participate in general project management and working directly with internal and external project collaborators. (5%)

  • Perform related projects and special duties as assigned. Establish and maintain a safe, productive, and respectful working environment that fosters a culture of inclusivity and teamwork. Create and promote an environment that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion in all endeavors. (5%)

Term of position:

This is a one-year appointment, with annual reappointment up to two additional years, conditional on availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The ideal start date for this position will be Spring 2023.

Required qualifications:

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

  • Experience with R and other statistical languages.

  • Ability to apply quantitative methods to answer ecological questions or hypotheses.

  • Record of success conducting research and scholarly activities, including publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience related to using wildlife survey data, experience with citizen science data is preferred but not required.

  • Experience in ornithology is a bonus, but not required.

Salary, rewards, and benefits:

CALS hiring range for this position is $55,341 - $65,000, dependent upon experience  and includes benefits. Relocation funds are available. 

Fully remote work will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Local personnel will have the flexibility to work on a hybrid schedule with opportunities to work on-site and from home. 

Benefits provided by Cornell include a broad range of comprehensive health care options, generous paid leave provisions: 3 weeks of vacation, 13 holidays (including end of year winter break), paid family leave, and superior retirement contributions. Additionally, Cornell provides access to professional development initiatives, wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.

Application instructions:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/24404.

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion via the website. 

If you have questions about this position, please email Dr. Orin Robinson (orj7@cornell.edu). Review of applicants will begin on March 13, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.





Familiarize yourself with Cornell’s COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university’s COVID-19 services and information

Employment Assistance:

For specific questions about the position or application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or for general questions email mycareer@cornell.edu.

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at equity@cornell.edu.

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing mycareer@cornell.edu.

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here. This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff from all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

  • Prior relevant work or industry experience.
  • Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
  • Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
  • Unique applicable skills.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses help popup)
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
email address
607-255-3087
 
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, New York 14850