Job Summary
The Purdue University Institute for Digital Forestry invites applications for a postdoctoral position. Successful applicants will become part of a multidisciplinary cohort, collectively addressing research areas of interest. Fellows will be co-mentored by faculty of different disciplines and include development of both technical and professional skills to ensure the most successful outcome for individual growth and career preparation. The Institute for Digital Forestry is a transdisciplinary collaboration of over 30 investigators from the colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Libraries, Polytechnic and Science that integrates expertise in AI/ML, computer applications and modeling, geosciences, satellite and drone sensing platforms, social sciences, education, and forest biology, ecology, health, and management for sustainable and equitable rural and urban forest management.
You will investigate the coupling of below and above ground biodiversity in forest ecosystems across the continental U.S. This involves modeling of connections between above and below ground biodiversity in forest ecosystems and the patterns and drivers for this above-below-ground coupling. Above-ground data will be based primarily on USDA Forest Service tree inventory data and below ground data will be derived from soil DNA sequencing. The postdoc will be hosted in the Songlin Fei lab (Forestry & Natural Resources), with collaborations with University of Tennessee, Indiana University, the Smithsonian Institute, University of Texas, El Paso, and the USDA Forest Services. A PhD in ecology, forestry, or biology is required with expertise in mycorrhizal ecology, forest ecology, modeling, and/or spatial analysis. Experience with R programming, GIS, and other analytical tools and experience in handling large mycorrhizal data sets are highly desirable. Ability to work with researchers across a variety of disciplines is required.
Required Qualifications
We seek highly motivated, well-organized individuals with strong quantitative skills to work on funded disciplinary and interdisciplinary projects and assist development of additional funded programs. A PhD in a discipline appropriate to the specific research is necessary.
Review Date
Review of applications will begin in January 2025 and continue until the positions are filled.
Duration of Appointment
Initial appointments are for 24 months subject to satisfactory performance review at 12 months. Some positions may be renewed beyond 24 months based on available funding.