Associate Specialist in Biology/Ecology: Forest Ecology

An associate specialist (Master's level researcher) position in California forest ecology is available at UC Merced in the Moran Lab. Our research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary responses of forests to climate change.

• Assisting with data collection in the field during the summer (measuring trees, counting cones, etc.) and supervising undergraduate field assistants.
• Analyzing California tree data, including using the Mastif model (in R) to carry out analyses of tree fecundity, and analyzing tree ring/cell anatomy data relating to drought tolerance.
• Participating in meetings with research teams and stakeholders as relevant.
• Taking active part in the writing and editing of manuscripts on which the associate specialist would be an author.
• The associate specialist would also be encouraged to propose additional independent analyses using Moran lab datasets that match their research interests.

Candidates must have completed a Master's in biology, ecology, mathematical modeling, or similar discipline, and have substantial experience with R.

The candidate must be self-disciplined, and motivated (as evidenced by reference letters and prior research work).

Qualifications that would be desirable but not strictly required include experience with Bayesian modeling, coding for Shiny apps, and/or fieldwork experience.

• 3 required (contact information only)

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced is committed to interdisciplinary excellence in research and teaching as well as to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).

The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.