Post Doctoral Fellow - Plant Ecology

The LaMontagne Lab at the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)

The LaMontagne Lab at the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher with interests in plant ecology, population ecology, macrosystems biology, and synthesis research. Dr. Jalene LaMontagne is the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor in Botanical Studies at UMSL in conjunction with the Missouri Botanical Garden. The LaMontagne Lab focuses broadly on the patterns, drivers, and consequences of spatio-temporal variability and synchrony in population dynamics. This includes the phenomenon of mast seeding reproduction in trees from local to global scales, consumer-resource dynamics, and climate change. Projects will build upon existing mast seeding datasets including global data syntheses, and long-term mast-seeding fieldwork data collected by the lab since 2012. Much of the research will be focused on data analysis and creating reproducible research pathways, and there will be opportunities to visit the long-term field sites. The postdoctoral researcher will work directly with Dr. LaMontagne, as well as collaborators at other institutions.

Funding is currently available for one year, with an additional one-year extension depending upon satisfactory job performance. Additional funds are available to support travel, including to conferences. Candidates interested in applying for fellowships such as the NSF PRFB, with the Living Earth Collaborative (https://livingearthcollaborative.wustl.edu/), etc., are especially encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have a PhD.and expertise in plant ecology, big data, R programing language, and reproducible research workflows (e.g., GitHub). Experience with macro-systems biology and linking broad scale spatial-temporal climate data to biotic patterns, and mast seeding, is a plus but not required.

Please submit a CV and Introductory email with your application. Questions should be presented to Dr. Jalene LaMontagne at jalene.lamontagne@umsl.edu.

Start date is flexible, with a preference for late spring/early summer 2025. A partially remote position may be considered for exceptional motivated candidates. The UMSL Department of Biology is home to the Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center. The department has collegial and active research programs in ecology, evolution, and behavior, supporting and promoting research in biology and biodiversity throughout the world. Students, postdocs, and faculty interact with the vibrant St. Louis scientific community through connections with the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, Danforth Plant Science Center, the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University, and others. UMSL is a diverse urban public university and applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. St. Louis consistently ranks as one of the most affordable metro areas in the US, and one of the best regions for new college graduates.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.