Recruit

A two year plus postdoc position on climate impacts on conifer reproduction is available at UC Merced in the Moran lab [https://sites.google.com/site/moranplantlab/ ]. Our research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary responses of forests to climate change.

This project makes use of the Mast Inference and Forecasting (Mastif) model, and the associated global network of forest monitoring plots. This network of research collaborations has already yielded multiple high-impact papers. The Moran lab is currently participating in an NSF-funded grant^ that aims to build on this work by linking data on seed production to consumer/disperser activity and seedling growth and establishment. We also recently received funding from a UC climate change research initiative for a project that, among other things, aims to use this model framework to better target seed collection efforts for reforestation.

Duties of the postdoc would include:

• Assisting with collection (fieldwork) and management of cone count and seed trap data from across California and beyond. This will include mentoring undergraduate research assistants
• Analyzing California tree fecundity data using the Mastif framework to test how seed production is affected by tree size, climate, and multi-annual mast cycles, and how these relationships vary by species or genera.
• Collaborating with UC Davis team-members to develop web-based tool to share the resulting fecundity predictions with forest managers.
• Participating in meetings with research teams and stakeholders (all UCOP project meetings, NSF project meetings as desired).
• Taking active part in manuscript preparation. At least one manuscript will be the primary responsibility of the postdoc as first author. The postdoc will also give at least one presentation on this research at a professional meeting.

The postdoc would also be encouraged to propose additional independent analyses using these datasets that match their research interests.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from all qualified applicants, including women, minorities, veterans, and individual with disabilities, who will enrich the teaching, research and public service missions of the university. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscHarassAffirmAction).

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://www.ucmerced.edu/fast-facts), UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).

UC Merced is a smoke & tobacco free campus (https://smokefree.ucmerced.edu/).