Job Title

Post Doctoral Fellow for the Family Forest Research Center

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Family Forest Research Center (FFRC) is a collaborative initiative between the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station. The FFRC is housed in the UMass College of Natural Sciences, Department of Environmental Conservation. Our mission is to deepen the understanding of family forest owners and timber products to promote conservation and sustainable forestry. Learn more about us at www.familyforestresearchcenter.org.

The FFRC is seeking a dedicated and highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join our team. This position will focus on work related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funded Revegetation Assistance Assessment project. Specific research tasks will involve surveys, randomized control trials, and focus groups. The successful candidate will work closely with FFRC co-directors Dr. Brett Butler and Paul Catanzaro, and other members of the Revegetation Assistance Assessment team.

Essential Functions

Examples of duties:

• Design and conduct surveys, randomized control trials, and focus groups related to revegetation assistance projects.
• Analyze data from surveys, trials, and focus groups to assess the effectiveness of different revegetation assistance strategies.
• Prepare and present research findings through reports, manuscripts, and presentations at conferences and workshops.
• Collaborate with FFRC team members and external partners to implement research projects.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. 
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties assigned to support the College of Natural Sciences' mission and goals.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• A Ph.D. in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a related field.
• Strong background in revegetation, restoration ecology, or a related area.
• Experience with survey design, randomized control trials, and qualitative research methods.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R) and qualitative data analysis tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
• Demonstrated interest in sustainable forestry practices and natural resource management.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

None

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm (hours flexible)

Salary Information

Salary is $72,000 per year, plus benefits.