Postdoctoral Associate: Quantifying the emerging risks of wildfire smoke for birds of North America

About Us:

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 of Ornithology is both an academic unit within CALS and a non-profit organization. Our mission is to interpret and conserve the earth's biological diversity through research, education, and participatory science focused on birds. The Center for Avian Population Studies (CAPS) and The Center for Engagement in Science and Nature (CESN) are two of the major programmatic units at the Lab. CAPS is focused on collecting and disseminating biodiversity data (e.g., eBird) to enhance the information and decision-making tools available to conservationists and scientific researchers. The center achieves this by producing scientific, computational, and big data resources that transform how we understand and protect the world around us. CESN engages the public by gathering biological information at large spatial scales (e.g., FeederWatch, NestWatch) while creating dynamic educational content and web applications through which the public can better understand the natural world. The Cornell Lab is widely viewed as a global leader in the field of participatory science, managing exemplary projects that engage the public while pursuing methodological innovation for moving the field forward.

The Cornell Lab is home to a vibrant community of several dozen postdoctoral associates working across programs. We strive to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for this community that fosters personal growth and career advancement. We recognize that diverse, inclusive communities create more innovative and impactful work to address global challenges and benefit humanity and nature.

Position Function:

We seek a creative, collaborative Postdoctoral Associate with experience in quantitative ecology and large spatial datasets. The successful candidate will lead interdisciplinary research leveraging the Cornell Lab's extensive participatory science and migration datasets to advance knowledge of the emerging risks of wildfire smoke for North American birds. The Postdoctoral Associate will use data products from eBird Status and Trends, Project FeederWatch, and BirdCast to quantify population-level exposure to smoke particulates and investigate how birds respond to smoke in real time. More specifically, projects will focus on (1) year-round smoke exposure, (2) impacts on migrating birds, and (3) impacts during historic wintertime fires. The successful candidate will work closely with researchers in both the Center for Avian Population Studies and the Center for Engagement in Science and Nature at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to tackle emerging questions of critical conservation importance while gaining experience working with large-scale, interdisciplinary datasets. The successful candidate will also gain skills and experience in communicating their research to different audiences via the Lab of Ornithology's diverse platforms. This postdoctoral position will be advised by Dr. Andrew Stillman and Dr. Olivia Sanderfoot. We encourage postdoctoral associates to explore related research questions and collaborate on projects conducted at the Cornell Lab and with partners to support their career development.

Anticipated Division of Time:

• Develop methods and quantitative workflows using Cornell Lab data products to meet project goals (45%).
• Prepare peer reviewed papers and other research products. Present results at professional meetings, conferences, and seminars. (25%)
• Participate in general project management while working directly with internal and external project collaborators. (10%)
• Engage in career and professional development opportunities. (10%)
• Develop science communication deliverables to communicate research with the public (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. (5%)

Term of Position:

This is a one-year appointment, renewable for up to three years contingent upon available work, funding and satisfactory work.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in quantitative ecology, applied statistics, or a related field with strong background in statistics and model development.
• Experience with R and analyzing spatial datasets.
• 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 and presentation at scientific conferences.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience developing reproducible workflows (e.g., coding scripts compatible with the program R).
• Experience related to using participatory science and/or opportunistic data sources.
• Background in wildlife ecology, ornithology, and/or public health.
• Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary ecological research.

Location:

The Postdoctoral Associate will be based in person at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York. We believe in-person work is essential to facilitate collaborative research across our team and between centers. However, we are very open to a flexible, hybrid schedule (e.g., in the office 3-4 days/week).

To Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter (no more than 2 pages), curriculum vitae, contact information for three references.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified. The ideal start date for this position is Fall 2026 or January 2027.

CALS hiring range for this position is $63,480 to $68,000 per year commensurate with experience.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell's regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

With a founding principle of "any person, any study," Cornell is an equal opportunity employer.

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.

Employment Assistance:

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, 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.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.