Education OPT Jobs in Colorado

Position Summary

We seek multiple Postdoctoral Fellows in ecological research, mentored by Julie Heinrichs at the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at Colorado State University and co-mentored by Cameron Aldridge (U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, and NREL-CSU). Fellows will collaborate within an interdisciplinary team to develop decision-support tools, spatial models, and actionable science for conservation and wildlife management across western U.S. landscapes. Projects include developing spatial conservation prioritizations using the Prioritizing Restoration of Sagebrush Ecosystems Tool (PReSET), integrating integer linear programming with ecological data (e.g., vegetation, species distributions, restoration risk) and partner engagement to produce management-ready outputs across regions such as Wyoming, Colorado, and the Sonoran Desert; and simulating Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management strategies using individual-based modeling (HexSim) to evaluate harvest scenarios and prion exposure thresholds, producing decision-support tools that balance disease mitigation with hunting opportunities.

Additional opportunities include analyzing links between pinyon–juniper ecosystem productivity and wildlife populations by applying hierarchical Bayesian models to large-scale avian monitoring data, integrating remote sensing, temporal resource dynamics, and future climate scenarios to inform habitat mapping and management across Four Corners landscapes; mapping wild horse densities using spatio-temporal point-process models that synthesize diverse survey datasets to generate time-series density surfaces and web-accessible tools for monitoring and ecological assessment; and advancing climate-informed fire risk modeling in arid and semi-arid systems, developing spatial metrics of ecosystem integrity under shifting fire regimes, simulating post-fire ecosystem change, and delivering operational decision-support products to guide fire management strategies under increasing climate uncertainty.

• Full consideration date is May 29, 2026

The Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory (NREL) is a research and teaching unit at Colorado State University with a mission “to ensure the sustainability of the Earth’s ecosystems through the generation and application of new knowledge.” The department’s interdisciplinary, ecosystem research promotes collaborations among disciplines and across fields of expertise at CSU and throughout the world. As a soft-money research unit, this role is critical to ensure adequate funding to sustain its vital role in the research community both locally and across the globe.

Essential Job Duties

• Research - The postdoc will participate in the co-production of actionable science in support of federal agencies and funding partners, by leading one or more of the 5 analyses outlined in the position description. They will also support analyses led by other team members.
• Communication - Briefing supervisor and team on analysis plans/results/changes, weekly mentoring meetings and team project meetings. Attending NREL Writes, preparing communications for project partners and funders, drafting presentations and manuscripts.
• Project Planning/Organization - Developing and revising research plans, shared project notes. Managing and updating project management software. Time and resource planning.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment criminal background check

Supervision

• Supervises GIS Analyst (0.5 FTE) or student volunteers if needed (0.5 FTE/wk)

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in ecology, conservation, geography, or related discipline
• Experience in statistical analyses or simulation modeling

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong spatial and quantitative and/or simulation modeling skills
• Understanding of landscape and wildlife ecology
• Experience working on team science projects
• Collaborative project planning and execution experience
• Strong communication, project, and time organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to interact successfully with an interdisciplinary team and with project partners, including federal agencies
• Experience with analysis and software such as: Fire simulation modeling; Vegetation state and transition approaches; Population and demographic modeling approaches; Individual-based modeling models (HexSim); Geographic Information Systems (GIS); R coding; Prioritization/Optimization analysis (e.g. integer linear programming); Frequentist and Bayesian statistics; High-performance computing/AI

Salary Range

$63,000 - $73,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.