Description:
A Postdoctoral research position is available beginning October of 2024 to help establish and kick off the third Ohio Bird Atlas (breeding and wintering). The successful applicant will join a dynamic team and actively engage in research that aligns with our crucial first stage of this multiyear project to develop and implement our third statewide atlas. This will include leading geospatial analysis and development of integrated data workflow platform to serve data collection efforts, analyzing and producing contemporary data to synthesize and inform specific direction of OBA3 objectives and priorities via producing peer reviewed publications, landcover change products (e.g. forest classification) from remotely sensed data trained by ground-truthing, and working with stakeholders to identify needed data and outputs.  

Qualifications:
PhD required with degree in ornithology, wildlife science, ecology, computational biology, data science, or closely related fields preferred. Competitive applicants will have a firm understanding of avian ecology along with demonstrated experience developing and managing large ecological databases and/or working with ecological models. Experience and proficiency with database software (e.g., MySQL, Oracle, etc.), geographic information systems, and experience working in the AGOL, Python and/or R language spatial environment are required. Ability and enthusiasm to engage with broad team, including broader Terrestrial Wildlife Ecology Lab, and facilitate positive collaborative team science are essential, with a proven record in manuscript preparation. Also necessary are a strong work ethic, good verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team.

Responsibilities:

• 45% Develop online analytical tools (e.g. shinyapps or API) to streamline collection, review, and analysis of three generations of atlas data. 
• 20% Develop customized databases to facilitate atlas planning and analysis with emphasis on land use and land cover change products 
• 20% Lead and participate in manuscript preparation of ongoing research using the first two generations of Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas data. 
• 10% Develop abundance survey protocols through a sensitivity analysis of Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas 2 abundance data 
• 5% Participate in stakeholder engagement with local, state, and federal partners to facilitate broad support for key objectives of OBA3