Postdoctoral Research Associate in Complex Demographic Processes in Mountain Environments

Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to conduct research activities to further understanding of how plant dispersal processes will interact with slope and terrain features to influence population spread, particularly in relation to changing climate.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The Department of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder is composed of approximately 20 tenured / tenure track faculty covering a wide range of topical expertise. Our faculty also includes rostered, full-time teaching professors. Our department consists of a broad range of environmental studies including an undergraduate program, a graduate search program (MSand PhD), and a professional master's program (MENV). The department's primary strength is interdisciplinary research and education on human-environment interactions, as we integrate scholarship on environmental science, policy, and values.

Combined, faculty within the ENVS department at CU Boulder represent expertise in a range of human-environment areas and utilize quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method approaches. ENVS here at the University of Colorado Boulder emphasizes the importance of diverse voices and experiences for strengthening our teaching, research, and service to broader communities. As a department committed to justice and equity, our goal is to create an environment that welcomes and supports everyone.

The person filling the position both independently and in collaboration with the supervisor. The researcher will conduct research activities to quantify and test the importance of microenvironmental features on demographic processes, with a particular focus on microtopography and arctic-alpine plants. The person filling the position both independently and in collaboration with the supervisor. The position will focus on integrated demographic and micro topographic data sets, and the analysis of stochastic dynamics that consider topographic effects driving individual variation.

Work will focus on arctic-alpine plants but may involve other data sets from different ecological study systems as well. The person in this position will be responsible for production of at least 2 research papers as well as one or more grant proposals on these topics, as well as conducting the research outlined.

This position will be based on the CU Boulder campus and will entail work with both undergraduates and the faculty sponsor for the position.

The salary for this position is $70,000.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation.

Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be curious. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

A PhD in a field related to the specific research areas, as well as relevant modeling and empirical experience in this field of research.

Key experience necessary for this position includes work with stochastic demographic models, familiarity with structure from motion and related topographic analysis methods, and familiarity with data collection in and ecology of alpine systems, especially as they relate to climate change.

Familiarity with a broad range of methods in statistics and population ecology modeling.

To apply , please submit the following materials: A current resume. A cover letter describing your experience that is directly applicable to the described research topics and goals for this position. (optional) Proof of Degree We may request references at a later time. If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor.

If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment. Please apply by July 22, 2026 for consideration.

Note:

Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.