Christopher W Clark Postdoctoral Associate: Ecosystem-Scale Biodiversity Conservation in the Tropics

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

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.

The Cornell Lab is a global leader in ornithological research & biodiversity conservation and is currently home to a vibrant community of several dozen postdoctoral associates working across programs and taxa (e.g., birds, whales, primates, etc.). We strive to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for this community that fosters personal growth and career advancement. Within the Lab, the Yang Center (https://bioacoustics.cornell.edu) is defined by its application of bioacoustic techniques to biodiversity conservation. Ecological research, hardware and software engineering, and global capacity building are the Yang Center's pillars of bioacoustic innovation.

The successful applicant will be co-mentored by Dr. Larissa Sugai (https://lsmsugai.github.io/) and Dr. Connor Wood (connormwood.com) to use acoustic-based wildlife data to pioneer new approaches to ecosystem-scale conservation science leveraging data from large-scale monitoring in tropical biomes that face urgent conservation challenges, including escalating wildfires, agricultural expansion biodiversity loss. Together with local partners, the Yang Center will implement the largest biome-scale acoustic deployment outside of North America. The incumbent will apply cutting-edge analytical tools (e.g. machine learning, ecological modeling), to assess biodiversity - including insects, amphibians, birds, mammals, and bats - and provide critical ecological insights that will support efforts in determining the integrity/resilience of entire ecosystems. This includes approaches involving (but not restricted to) population estimates, habitat-use modeling, macroecology applied to conservation, landscape, and spatial pattern analysis.

Position Function

Tropical ecosystems cover just 18% of Earth's land area, but are home to a disproportionate amount of biodiversity, including 62% of known vertebrate species. Yet systematically monitoring animal populations and ecosystem functioning in the tropics is very challenging. Thus, detailed knowledge of where conservation efforts are most needed are often limited. The Yang Center and a coalition of international and local NGOs, academics, and industry partners are developing new hardware and software tools to conduct the largest passive acoustic monitoring effort in a tropical ecosystem. Key project objectives include: 1) assessing the populations of key indicator species, 2) integrating taxonomically broad biodiversity data and remote sensed data into a comprehensive assessment of "ecosystem integrity", and 3) ensuring that the project workflow can serve as a scalable and transferrable template that can be applied in other priority ecosystems globally.

The successful applicant will support the development and implementation of this monitoring effort and take a lead role in turning acoustic detections into ecologically relevant and conservation-oriented results. Given the scale of the project and the multidisciplinary nature of the team, a range of applicant profiles (e.g., backgrounds in quantitative ecology, population modeling, occupancy modeling, hierarchical community data, etc.) could be highly competitive; applicants are not expected to excel in all aspects of the project and no ornithological experience is required. The scope of the position provides an exciting opportunity to make direct contributions to conservation and basic ecology with timely datasets. In addition to working with external partners, the postdoctoral associate will be working closely with multidisciplinary team members across the Yang Center. We encourage postdoctoral associates to explore related research questions and collaborate on projects conducted in the Lab and with partners.

This position is a one year position appointed annually, up to 3 years, contingent upon funding and performance. Additionally, a $10,000/year discretionary fund is provided to cover costs such as computing resources and travel to conferences. Field work could be located from the US east coast, Alaska, Canada, Axores, Norway, etc. and would be determined based on the projects that are applied for and approved.

Anticipated Division of Time

Expected outcomes of this work are the submission of at least three manuscripts to high-impact peer-reviewed journals and coordination with project partners to directly orient the results to regional and local conservation. We anticipate the possibility of fieldwork and sharing knowledge at workshops with local collaborators as requirements.

• Develop and conduct ecological research to meet project goals. Analyze acoustic detections and present relevant ecological and conservation research findings. Support the communication of the findings to relevant conservation actions for stakeholders in the focal ecosystem. (60%)
• Present results at professional meetings, conferences, and popular seminars. Prepare at least three manuscripts for high impact peer reviewed journals and other research products, including reports and relevant information to partners. (25%)
• Engaging with partners and possible funders. Participate in career and professional development opportunities. (10%)
• Engage in ongoing academic and intellectual life at the Lab of Ornithology and Cornell University. (5%)

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in biological, environmental, or ecological sciences, statistics, or a closely related field
• Writing skills and a strong publication record for the professional stage of the applicant
• Analytical and programming skills, and experience with population modeling and biodiversity data
• Ability to travel internationally and conduct fieldwork in the tropics (2-3 weeks/year)
• Enthusiasm for working on a lage project team, including collaborating with other postdocs on thematically- or geographically related work

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with large biodiversity datasets
• Experience working with large audio datasets
• Familiarity with machine learning tools
• Experience with wetland and/or tropical research and conservation
• Experience with broad-scale survey design techniques, including passive acoustic monitoring, camera traps, eDNA, point counts, or other methods
• Experience working with remote sensed data and GIS skills
• Other beneficial qualifications include: field experience with wildlife; familiarity with tropical ecology, particularly in South America; experience in multidisciplinary teams
• Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish is beneficial

Supervision Exercised

The incumbent will be expected to meet regularly with project collaborators (within the Yang Center, at NGOs, at other universities, and in government agencies). In addition, there are opportunities for the incumbent to mentor undergraduate students and possibly contribute to informal mentoring graduate students, but neither activity is expected or required.

Salary, rewards, and benefits:

Salary is commensurate with experience, CALS hiring rate for this position is $61,008 - $68,000per year and includes benefits.

The position is based in Ithaca, NY, where 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.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29549.

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and astatement supporting diverse communities(this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell's historical mission of "any person ... any study," via the website.

Review of applications will begin four weeks after posting and will continue until a suitable applicant is identified.

Start date is flexible between July 1, 2025 and early 2026.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Pay Range:

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
• Unique applicable skills.

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

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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 to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.