A postdoctoral researcher is sought to lead demographic and population modeling components of a multi-institution SERDP-funded project focused on habitat-based conservation of threatened and endangered species.
The position will be based in the Miller Lab at Rice University and will involve collaboration across a multidisciplinary and multi-institution team, including colleagues at Virginia Tech, Brown University, and MIT.
The postdoctoral researcher will use existing data to develop demographic models for threatened and endangered plant and animal species on Guåhan (Guam), where native limestone forests support many federally listed species while also serving as strategically important military lands. The work will involve identifying key life-history bottlenecks, forecasting population responses to management interventions, integrating demographic models with spatial and ecological interaction network models, and developing management recommendations under uncertainty and incomplete information.
The successful candidate will join a collaborative interdisciplinary team working at the interface of population biology, conservation biology, quantitative ecology, and ecosystem modeling. Opportunities exist to develop independent research questions related to demography, forecasting, resilience, and conservation decision-making. The research team will also interact frequently with local management agencies and community stakeholders in Guam to share findings and tailor the project to on-the-ground needs.
The position is funded for up to three years, conditional on satisfactory progress. A PhD in Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Science, Statistics, or a related discipline is required by the start date. The start date is flexible, but a start within 2026 is preferred.
Desired qualifications include experience with one or more of the following:
Structured demographic models, including matrix or integral projection models;
Hierarchical Bayesian statistical modeling;
Integrated population models;
Population viability analysis;
Conservation applications of quantitative models.
Application instructions
To apply, send a CV, a statement of interest of no more than one page, and one representative publication to:
For best consideration, apply before August 21, 2026.
Lab information: