Researchers from Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to assist with the development of a novel white-tailed deer population modeling and management framework.
This collaborative project aims to identify common challenges and questions associated with effective deer management, develop a suite of modeling tools for evaluating management options, and use these tools to provide actionable and defensible information to agency biologists. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with faculty, graduate students, and ADCNR personnel to develop models that integrate heterogeneous data sources, such as harvest records, citizen science observations, and deer–vehicle collisions, to improve estimates of deer population parameters. The selected candidate will have substantial freedom to explore approaches for identifying and modeling relevant data sources, while keeping the overarching goal of accurately estimating demographic parameters in focus.
The researcher will be supervised by Dr. Jonathon Valente and Dr. Aniruddha Belsare.
Lab and faculty information:
Jonathon Valente Lab: https://valentelab.auburn.edu/
Dr. Aniruddha Belsare: https://cfwe.auburn.edu/profile/aniruddha-belsare/
The position is expected to begin in Fall 2026, ideally between August and October. The position is fully funded for up to 2.5 years, with a starting salary of USD 60,000 plus benefits.
Prospective candidates should be highly motivated, interested in quantitative ecology, and have a strong background in ecology, biology, zoology, wildlife management, population modeling, or a related field.
Required qualifications
Applicants should have:
A PhD in Wildlife, Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Statistics, or a closely related field;
Strong oral and written communication skills in English;
The ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team;
Self-motivation, a positive attitude, and strong interpersonal skills;
Experience presenting and publishing peer-reviewed research;
Experience with the R statistical programming language, GIS software, and population modeling.
Desired qualifications
Preferred qualifications include experience with one or more of the following:
Integrated population modeling;
Species distribution modeling;
Bayesian data analysis;
Machine learning or artificial intelligence;
Working with agencies to address applied management priorities.
Application instructions
To apply, please email both Dr. Jonathon Valente and Dr. Aniruddha Belsare with the subject line:
Deer Population Postdoc
Email contacts:
Dr. Jonathon Valente: jjv0016@auburn.edu
Dr. Aniruddha Belsare: avb0033@auburn.edu
Applicants should combine the following materials into a single PDF and attach it to the email:
- A cover letter describing the applicant’s interest in and qualifications for the position;
- A CV;
- Unofficial transcripts;
- Contact information for three references.
Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Applicants may contact Dr. Valente with specific questions about the position.
About Auburn University
Auburn University is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus environment. More information about Auburn’s commitment to equity and inclusion is available at:
https://www.auburn.edu/inclusion
Auburn University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
The Valente and Belsare labs are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, positive, and inclusive environment. Lab members are expected to listen to, learn from, and support all voices in the lab community.