Postdoctoral Researcher; Fire spread modeling

Postdoctoral Researcher (Fire spread modeling)

Full Time Professional Hybrid

6 days ago Requisition

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis. Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top‑ranked, independent non‑profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science‑based climate policies through scientific research and outreach.

Woodwell Climate seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead fire spread modeling as part of a large multi‑institutional project focused on the potential for fire management to protect carbon and permafrost in Alaska and Canada. The selected candidate will lead the development and application of a landscape fire spread model to understand how various management interventions influence fire behavior, burned area, and long‑term carbon and permafrost dynamics at focal geographies in Alaska and the Northwest Territories, Canada.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with scientists involved in the Permafrost Pathways project at Woodwell and project partners in Alaska and Canada.

• Survey available stochastic, physics‑informed, and AI‑based fire spread models
• Develop (as needed), parameterize, and apply a fire spread model to focal geographies in Interior Alaska and the Northwest Territories, Canada
• Work with the Permafrost Pathways modeling team to couple the landscape fire spread model to a process‑based ecosystem model
• Collaborate with project staff and partners on stakeholder and rights holder engagement to co‑develop modeling scenarios
• Conduct and analyze model simulations
• Collaborate with project partners to estimate carbon cost‑effectiveness metrics based on model simulations
• Participate in the Google.org AI Collaborative on Wildfires and other multi‑institutional collaborative opportunities
• Independently execute a variety of complex research procedures
• Schedule own work and lead implementation
• Lead manuscript preparation and publication
• Present results at relevant meetings, convenings and conferences

• Knowledge of wildfires, arctic‑boreal ecosystems, carbon cycling, and fire management
• Experience developing and/or applying landscape fire spread models
• Demonstrated ability to develop and apply research techniques to complex problems
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a highly collaborative team
• Ability to work across disciplines and engage with right shareholders and stakeholders outside the academic community
• Demonstrated record of publication in scientific journals
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually

Ph.D. (granted or expected soon) in Environmental Sciences, Earth System Science, Ecology, Geography, or a related discipline.

This role is paid on a salary basis. Typically, full‑time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However, as a salaried position, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position.

Classification and Compensation:
This is a full‑time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range starting at $71k, dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work‑life balance.

Fixed‑term: 2 years

Location:

Falmouth, Massachusetts, hybrid or remote.

Desired

Start Date:

August 2026

Application review will begin on June 15, 2026.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.