Posting Detail Information
Working TitlePostdoctoral Associate - Predictive Modeler
Position LocationFort Collins, CO
Work LocationPosition is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional PositionNo
Posting Number202501275AP
Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification TitlePostdoctoral Fellows
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week40
Proposed Annual Salary Range$65,000 - $70,000
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.
Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)
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Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on10/06/2025
Description of Work Unit
The Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Department expands the frontiers of knowledge through our broad-based expertise in applied ecology, quantitative methods, and human dimensions in the conservation and management of fish and wildlife. We teach students to think critically about environmental issues, and become ecologically literate citizens with the training to be successful in graduate school and in careers with natural resources agencies, firms, and non-government organizations. Our outreach efforts contribute significantly to life-long learning by assisting individuals and agencies to solve complex environmental problems and to be good stewards of our nation's natural resources.
Position Summary
We are looking for a highly skilled postdoctoral scientist (postdoc) to lead the development of models for predicting wild bird strikes in and around an airport's airspace in space and time. The objective of the work is to provide risk assessment tools for guiding aviation managers in protecting public safety. The postdoc will collate data and develop predictive statistical models to estimate strike probability, the frequency component of a strike risk metric. This work will eventually be combined with strike severity to compose a strike risk metric and, thereby, provide means to prioritize bird-strike management actions and decision making for civil and military airport managers and wildlife biologists. The postdoc will work at the forefront of human-wildlife interactions with quantitative ecologists and wildlife biologists from USDA - APHIS and Colorado State University ( CSU ) as well as aviation stakeholders and natural resource economists. They will also work closely with a data scientist to transfer their modeling workflows into a pipeline and dashboard system for real-time risk assessment. The position is co-located at CSU and the National Wildlife Research Center of USDA - APHIS -Wildlife Services in Fort Collins, CO.
Required Job Qualifications
Applicants must have defended their Ph.D. in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation, statistics, data science or related fields, and have a strong record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals using ecological statistics or ecological modeling.
The applicant must also have US Department of Defense security clearance, which requires the job candidate to be a U.S. citizen.
Must be legally authorized to work within the U.S.
Preferred Job Qualifications
Experience using hierarchical statistical models, spatio-temporal models, machine learning, and developing data pipelines for large datasets.
Experience with ecological forecasting, decision analysis, and working with natural resource management stakeholders.
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryData Management, Analysis, and Inference
Duty/Responsibility
Work with a data scientist on data management and data analysis, but be the primary person responsible for data analysis and scientific inference in collaboration with other project members.
Percentage Of Time40
Job Duty CategoryPublication in Peer-Rviewed Literature
Duty/Responsibility
Summarize research inference into writing for reports and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Percentage Of Time30
Job Duty CategoryInteraction with Stakeholder
Duty/Responsibility
Participate actively in video and in-person meeting with stakeholders from USDA , the DOD , and the FAA .
Percentage Of Time20
Job Duty CategoryMentoring and Career Development
Duty/Responsibility
Hold mentoring discussions with project PIs, and also help mentor junior members of the PI labs.
Percentage Of Time10
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
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.
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Special Requirements/Other - Will be required to attain U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.
Search ContactDavid Koons, David.Koons@colostate.edu
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.
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.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Unofficial Transcripts
Optional Documents
