External Opportunities
Ecological Modeling Jobs of Interest
Quantitative Ecologist (1 – 5 postdoc positions) – Colorado State University and USGS
Up to five Postdoctoral Positions in Quantitative and Spatial Ecology are immediately available, mentored by Dr. Julie Heinrichs at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at Colorado State University and co-mentored by Dr. Cameron Aldridge (U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center - FORT). Fellows will work closely with team members to lead and/or support the development and delivery of actionable science for conservation and wildlife management across western U.S. landscapes.
We are seeking PhD scientists with strong spatial, quantitative, and simulation modeling skills, with an understanding of landscape and wildlife ecology. Scientists will support one or more of the following 5 projects:
1Develop Spatial Conservation Prioritizations to Assist Managers with Decision Making. Lead work with a larger team to co-develop spatial conservation prioritizations. Products will identify optimal sites for restoration and conservation actions under varied objectives (e.g., connectivity, multi-species habitat, restoration feasibility).
Simulate Sustainable Harvest Strategies to Manage Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The hire will work with a larger team to develop and apply an individual-based simulation framework (HexSim) to evaluate sustainable harvest-based strategies for controlling CWD in ungulates.
Analyze Avian Responses to Dynamic Resources. Lead work to analyze broad-scale avian monitoring data with hierarchical Bayesian models to test mechanistic links between weather-driven food resources and densities/occurrence of Pinyon–Juniper-associated birds.
Analyze Wild Horse Densities Across Broad Landscapes. Lead work to build an integrated spatio-temporal point-process modeling framework that synthesizes survey data (e.g., CDS, double-observer, GPS) to generate density surfaces for wild horses.
Model Fire Risk in Arid Landscapes. Lead work to advance climate-informed fire risk modeling and integrate ecosystem integrity into wildland fire management frameworks.
Applicants should apply with CV, contact information for 3 references, and 1-page (max.) cover letter that includes availability to start, interest in working at CSU and USGS in Fort Collins, and experience working in highly collaborative team environments.
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed beginning May 30, 2026. Applications can be submitted past this date. Review of applications will continue until all positions are filled.
Contacts: Julie.Heinrichs@colostate.edu; aldridgec@usgs.gov