Description
A one-year postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Franke College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana (UM) – Avian Science Center & Wildlife Biology Program, focused on advancing conservation and management approaches for at-risk, data-limited species using the Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) as a model system.
This project represents a collaborative effort among the University of Montana, the National Park Service (NPS), and The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. It serves as a pilot initiative to help NPS develop a framework for how to make conservation and management decisions for rare and at-risk species with limited data availability, a challenge increasingly common under rapid environmental change.
The Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana) is a rare, bioluminescent beetle native to mangrove and salt marsh habitats along Florida’s coast. It is threatened by habitat loss and alteration, hydrologic modification, and light pollution, factors shared by many other vulnerable species. By using M. floridana as a case study, this project will integrate theoretical, spatial, and population modeling to identify strategies for advancing conservation decisions despite ecological uncertainty and data limitations.
Project Overview
This postdoctoral researcher will lead the development and application of quantitative modeling frameworks to inform conservation for M. floridana and to generalize those approaches for other data-limited, at-risk taxa. The project will synthesize existing datasets—species occurrence records, environmental and habitat layers, etc.—to identify key ecological and conservation insights.
Working closely with partners at NPS and the Xerces Society, the postdoctoral researcher will co-design analyses that address pressing management questions, such as:
- How can conservation planning proceed for data-limited species under changing environmental conditions, including changing ocean and coastal dynamics?
- What modeling frameworks best support decision-making under uncertainty?
- How can limited data be leveraged to assess vulnerability, prioritize habitats, and evaluate extinction risk?
- What transferable lessons can guide conservation for other rare, understudied taxa in dynamic coastal ecosystems?
Outcomes will directly inform NPS conservation planning and may contribute to forthcoming U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service status assessment efforts for M. floridana, and other regional coastal management strategies.
Position Details
This position is full-time (1.0 FTE), Letter of Appointment, and includes a comprehensive benefits package with health insurance, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
Salary: $68,000 to $75,000 depending on experience and availability of funding
Preferred Start Date: March 2026
Location: University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- PhD (by start date) in wildlife biology, ecology, conservation biology, landscape or spatial ecology, quantitative biology, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in applied and/or theoretical ecological modeling, including spatial or simulation modeling frameworks.
- Strong coding proficiency in one or more of the following: R, Jags, Nimble, Python, etc.
- Experience in the use of GIS and spatial data processing.
- Proven record of peer-reviewed publications and effective scientific communication.
- Strong collaboration, coordination, and communication skills across academic, agency, and NGO partners.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with species distribution modeling, connectivity or population viability analyses, and/or climate adaptation modeling.
- Experience with coastal, wetland, or firefly/invertebrate systems.
- Demonstrated ability to bridge quantitative theory and applied management contexts.
Application Instructions
Screening of applications will begin after the closing date, February 22, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
To apply, please upload the following materials:
- Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
- Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
- Three (3) professional references – Names and contact information
The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always”; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.
Applications should be submitted through the University of Montana’s online hiring system. This position will be required to obtain a US Government Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Card in order to collaborate with the National Parks Service. In order to be issued a PIV Card, a candidate must have been a US National for the past 3 years.