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Postdoctoral Position in Forest Fire Ecology and Global Change
Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Position in Forest Fire Ecology and Global ChangeApplication Window
Open date: February 23, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Mar 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Department of Geography, at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative (WFFRC) seeks to hire a qualified candidate for a postdoctoral research position focused on the fire ecology and California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains and the broader western United States.
We seek a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to work at the interface of fire ecology, forest dynamics, and ecosystem modeling as part of the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative (WFFRC; https://www.westernfireforest.org/) based in the Trugman Lab at UC Santa Barbara. The postdoc will lead efforts to parameterize and apply the individual-based forest landscape model iLand to develop scalable ecological inferences on fire–vegetation interactions in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the broader western United States.
The successful candidate will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of ecologists, modelers, and Earth system scientists to integrate field observations, remote sensing products, and existing datasets into a mechanistic modeling framework. The position offers substantial intellectual independence and opportunities to publish high-impact research addressing forest resilience, disturbance regimes, and climate change.
The appointee may work on one or multiple additional ongoing lab projects, depending upon interests and past experience; opportunities also exist to collaborate with mathematical modelers, remote sensing projects, and field scientists across California ecosystems and the broader western United States.
Qualifications
Applicants must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Earth System Science, or a related field, except for the dissertation, at the time of application.
The Ph.D. (or equivalent) must be formally conferred by the start date of the appointment.
Experience with individual-based or forest landscape models
Familiarity with western U.S. forest ecosystems and fire regimes
Experience working with remote sensing or large spatial datasets
Interest in linking modeling results to management- or policy-relevant questions
A track record of scholarship including talks and peer-reviewed publications appropriate to career stage.
Strong quantitative skills and experience with ecological or Earth system models
Proficiency in programming and data analysis (e.g., R, Python, C/C++, or similar)
Demonstrated interest in fire ecology, forest dynamics, or disturbance ecology
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research - A short (1-2 page) statement of research experience and interests related to the project.
- 3 required (contact information only)
References will be contacted for final candidate(s) by email and/or phone, requesting one (or more) of the following: discussion over email or phone, letter of recommendation.
Help contact: lucy.lopez@geog.ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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 status under state or federal law.