Postdoctoral Scholar - Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Position overview

Salary range: $71,632 - $82,836

Application Window

Open date:
March 9, 2026

Next review date:
Monday, Mar 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Dr. Victoria Sork in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Scholar position focused on demographic modeling and landscape genomics to understand climate maladaptation in oak populations under future climate scenarios and develop demographic models to evaluate the ecological consequences of that maladaptation. This position is a two-year appointment, contingent upon satisfactory performance after the first year, with a flexible start date as early as August 2026.

Supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, this collaborative project between University of California Los Angeles and University of California Santa Barbara integrates functional phenotypes, demographic modeling, and landscape genomics to study climate maladaptation in two California oak species: coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and valley oak (Quercus lobata). Working closely with Victoria Sork and a multidisciplinary team that includes ecophysiologist Lee Anderegg and plant ecologist Frank Davis, the postdoctoral scholar will contribute to two complementary research aims.

First, they will use growth and mortality data from common garden experiments to build demographic models that quantify the population-level impacts of maladaptation. Second, they will use common garden data to link fitness consequences with predictions from landscape genomic models of climate adaptation. The post-doc will also collaborate on other aspects of the project including an analysis of the genetic basis of climate-associated phenotypes.

The ideal candidate will engage across all phases of the research program, from field sampling and laboratory work to genomic and statistical analyses, as well as manuscript preparation. The position offers opportunities for first-authored publications and co-authorship on collaborative papers. The postdoc will join a dynamic research community, interacting with postdocs and collaborators working on functional genomics, epigenetics, ecophysiology, plant ecology, and climate modeling to advance our understanding of how long-lived tree species respond to climate change.

Qualifications:

* Ph.D. in biology, ecology, environmental science, evolutionary biology, geography, or conservation science with expertise in statistics, genomics, demographic modeling, and/or quantitative genetics.

* Demonstrated computational and statistical experience relevant to the project.

* Good writing skills with demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications

* Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Prospective candidates are encouraged to email Prof Victoria Sork at vlsork with a paragraph stating reason for interest and a CV.

Please submit application materials to UCLA Recruit.

1) Cover letter that includes the following information: (i) short personal statement describing your motivation and relevant experience; (ii) specific computational or statistical skills relevant to research; (iii) contact information for three referees.

2) Curriculum Vita

3) Statement of research that includes specific research interests and conservation genomic expertise

4) Statement summarizing your efforts and interest to mentor and promote interest in the sciences.

5) PDFs of 1-3 publications

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

* Ph.D. in biology, ecology, environmental science, evolutionary biology, geography, or conservation science with expertise in statistics, genomics, demographic modeling, and/or quantitative genetics.

* Demonstrated computational and statistical experience relevant to the project.

* Good writing skills with demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications

* Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Application Requirements

Document requirements

* Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

* Cover Letter - Must include the following information: (i) short personal statement describing your motivation and experience relevant to the specific project; (ii) specific computational or statistical skills relevant to position; (iii) contact information for three referees.

* Statement of Research & Environmental Data Science/Landscape Genomics - Statement of research that includes specific research interests and expertise in environmental data science or landscape genomics.

* Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate's past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about…