College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Research Associate in Extension and Outreach Management and Climate Impacts on Northern Hardwood Forests

Hiring Organization: Department of Forestry
Employment type: Full-Time
Application Due Date: December 8, 2023

The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University is seeking an outstanding Research Associate (Postdoctoral Researcher) to lead the extension and outreach components of a USDA Forest Service funded project.  The goal of the research is to understand the impacts of management alternatives (forest and deer) and potential changes in climate on the sustainability and resilience of multiple forest values (wood, wildlife, carbon) across the northern hardwood forest biome now and into the future. Interrelationships will be developed from long-term field experiment and inventory data from the US and Canada, then used to calibrate existing and novel modeling tools to develop projections.

Duties for the successful applicant will include developing and managing multi-media extension/outreach materials for the general public and resource managers (e.g. tools for managers, extension bulletins, web and print graphics, fact sheets, and press releases via web, social media, traditional media) developing, organizing, and leading workshops and trainings, facilitating interactions between researchers and managers, and authorship of research articles.

The position will begin as a one‐year appointment with extensions possible for up to three years (given current project funding).

Required qualifications

The successful candidate will have an earned PhD in Natural Resources or a closely related field and experience/skills with writing and verbal communication.

Preferred qualifications

Documented ability to bring projects to completion including effective independent and collaborative work with researchers, managers and/or the general public, as evidenced by products such as participation in/authorship of:  articles, workshops/conferences, extension bulletins, web-based outreach, and applied research publications. A strong interest in disseminating scientific research results to broad audiences and fostering the application of research solutions to management problems.

Location

The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. 

To Apply

Submit your application online at https://careers.msu.edu to position number 908624.  Upload the following required documents: 1) a letter of interest detailing qualifications for the position and research interests, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) a writing sample (preferably a journal article or dissertation chapter) and 4) a list of three professional references with contact information (institution, email address, phone number). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application deadline

Review of applications will begin on November 27, 2023.  Position will be open until filled. Desired start date is March 1-May 1, 2024. Questions about the position or the project should be directed to Dr. Mike Walters at mwalters@msu.edu and/or Dr. Christel Kern at christel.c.kern@usda.gov.

MSU is an equal opportunity employer and the MSU Department of Forestry is committed to promoting diversity in research. We actively encourage applications from, and nominations of, women, persons of color, veterans, persons with disabilities and other individuals who can contribute to the intellectual diversity and cultural richness at Michigan State University. MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.