The Yoder Lab at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a new NSF-funded project in ecological data science.
The successful candidate will collaborate with PI Dr. Jeremy Yoder and researchers at Yale University to refine and apply the TARDIS analysis pipeline for studying plant population responses to environmental variation across space and time.
The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to development of a TARDIS package for R, use simulation studies to evaluate the capabilities of the analytical pipeline, and assist with a course-based undergraduate research experience in which students will develop TARDIS models for individual plant species.
Required qualifications
A doctorate with dissertation research in plant ecology, evolutionary biology, or a closely related field, or a planned doctoral defense and graduation before the position begins;
Demonstrated experience with data science and programming in R, particularly with ecological and/or geospatial data;
Research interests aligned with the project aims or the Yoder Lab’s research program;
Excellent written communication skills and strong familiarity with classic and contemporary research in geographical ecology.
Preferred qualifications
The most competitive applicants will also have experience in one or more of the following areas:
Species distribution modeling;
Machine-learning applications in ecology;
Empirical, simulation, or theoretical studies of population demography;
Phylogenetic comparative methods;
Development and publication of R packages.
Position information
Hybrid work will be possible for many project activities, but the postdoctoral fellow must live within commuting distance of the CSUN campus by the start date and be able to attend in-person meetings several days per week.
The starting date is negotiable but ideally no later than the first quarter of 2027.
The project provides up to three years of salary, pending satisfactory progress during the first year. Starting salary is USD 71,400 per year with benefits and a planned cost-of-living adjustment according to University policy.
Additional support includes travel funding for conferences and meetings with collaborators at Yale University, as well as a postdoctoral mentoring plan focused on professional development and long-term career goals.
Application instructions
Applicants should submit a CV with a complete publication list and a cover letter of no more than two pages explaining how their background meets the criteria above.
Application materials and questions should be sent to:
Dr. Jeremy B. Yoder
California State University, Northridge
jeremy.yoder@csun.edu
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. For full consideration, materials should be submitted by September 6, 2026.
More information about the Yoder Lab: