The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) in the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Migratory Bird Research. This funded, two-year research position works in collaboration with Drs. Craig Davis and Scott Loss and is supported by the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (SC-CASC).
Position Overview
| Designation | Postdoctoral Fellow (Adjunct/Temp Faculty) |
| Research Area | Migratory Bird Ecology, Wetland Conservation, Climate Change Impacts, Quantitative Modeling |
| Job Requisition ID | BF9454 / 495105 |
| Location | Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States |
| Salary | $60,000 per year plus benefits (excluding retirement); travel funding included |
| Appointment Term | 11-month appointment renewable for up to 2 years |
| Application Review Date | Review begins October 30, 2026 (open until filled) |
Research Area & Project Focus
This postdoctoral fellowship focuses on addressing critical ecological questions regarding the impacts of climate change on migratory birds and their habitats within the U.S. Great Plains region. The research expands on previous work evaluating the effects of changing precipitation regimes on wetland extent and migratory waterbird habitat utilization.
Job Description
The postdoctoral fellow will play a lead role in bridging empirical research and practical conservation tool development. Key responsibilities include:
- Utilizing existing datasets and analytical models to develop and publish a user-informed decision support tool to guide stakeholders in prioritizing wetland management strategies that bolster climate resilience.
- Leveraging long-term bird movement and habitat use datasets to assess climate change impacts on habitat availability, movement ecology, and migration phenology across the Great Plains.
- Collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary team, including social scientists, graduate students, and regional partners from federal, state, and tribal agencies.
- Contributing to the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center (SC-CASC) mission deliverables and actively participating in the CASC Research Scholars Program for interdisciplinary leadership and professional development.
Eligibility & Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology, or a closely related discipline.
- A documented record of research productivity resulting in peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Strong quantitative modeling and analytical capabilities, with proven experience handling and analyzing large ecological datasets.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills suitable for scientific publishing and stakeholder engagement.
- Demonstrated capacity to lead projects and work productively within collaborative, multi-investigator teams.
Preferred / Desirable Skills:
- Experience designing, developing, or applying user-oriented decision support tools.
- Prior experience collaborating with or working alongside federal, state, or tribal natural resource agencies.
- A genuine interest in co-produced and actionable science that informs conservation management.
Salary & Benefits
The position offers a competitive salary of $60,000 per year, along with OSU employee health and competitive benefits (excluding retirement). Dedicated funding is also provided for research travel, partner meetings, and scientific conference presentations.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit their application materials electronically through the Oklahoma State University employment portal. Applicants must provide:
- A Cover Letter outlining relevant experience, research expertise, and alignment with project goals and required qualifications.
- A complete Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Contact information for three professional references.
Contact for Inquiries:
For additional details regarding the project scope or position responsibilities, please contact:
Dr. Craig Davis (craig.a.davis@okstate.edu) or
Dr. Scott Loss (scott.loss@okstate.edu)
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078
Last Date for Apply
Application review begins on October 30, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted and evaluated until a suitable candidate is selected. The anticipated start date is between November 2026 and January 2027 (with some flexibility).
Apply Link
Click Here to Apply Directly at Oklahoma State University Jobs Portal
