Post-Doctoral Research Associate-Coastal Ecology

Summary:

The School of Life Sciences and Sustainability in the College of Humanities and Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University, seeks candidates to apply for a one-year Postdoctoral Research Associate - Coastal Ecology position. Dr. Zinnert seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to conduct research for a NOAA-Restore funded project that is designed to provide applied, interdisciplinary science on barrier island evolution along the Florida Panhandle, USA and associated implications for people and coastal ecosystems/species. This position will focus on vegetation dynamics to identify landscape vulnerabilities that can be used to inform management, facilitate compromise among managers with conflicting objectives, and address knowledge gaps. This work complements ongoing research efforts across the Gulf Islands National Seashore in collaboration with USGS and natural resource partners to inform models of barrier island evolution and associated implications for coastal ecosystems/species given sea level rise and changing storm, temperature, and precipitation regimes.

NOTE: The successful candidate understands that this is a restricted position and ongoing employment depends on continued funding.

Position Responsibilities:

• Compile historical research documenting vegetation composition, density, and change across the study area through literature and database searches.

• Conduct transect-based observations across multiple islands of species type, density, rates of establishment and succession, and climate-change shifts in plant functional groups.

• Work with partners to use field collected data and historical records for landcover change over time from orthoimagery.

• Participate in an annual full team meeting in the Gulf Islands, Florida and a minimum of monthly meetings with team members for coordinating field work, and assistance with parametrizing models and communicating with natural resource partners.

• Present findings at an annual research conference.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in the field of ecology

• Extensive field experience

• Strong oral and written communication skills (English language) via record of peer-reviewed publications

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a postdoc at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong communication skills and experience working with an interdisciplinary team

• Experience mentoring personnel and strong interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and with a team

Additional information about the department’s programs and faculty may be found at https://slss.vcu.edu/

Application Materials: Please submit a 1) cover letter that explains how your qualifications, research interests, and future career goals align with the requirements of this position (2 pages maximum), 2) a full CV including publications, grants, mentoring experience, previous field experience, and other relevant information, and 3) the email and phone contact information for three references. Candidates will have completed their degree in order to be available for a start date of ~January 15 – Feb 1, 2026.

Unit: College Of Humanities and Sciences

Department: School of Life Sciences and Sustainability

Salary:$ 54,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.