Postdoctoral Position in Forest Fire Ecology and Global Change

The Department of Geography at UC Santa Barbara and the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative seek a postdoctoral researcher working at the interface of fire ecology, forest dynamics, and ecosystem modeling. The successful candidate will parameterize the iLand forest landscape model for fire-vegetation interactions in the Sierra Nevada and western United States. Key responsibilities include integrating field observations, remote sensing data, and datasets into mechanistic modeling frameworks, collaborating across multiple lab projects and California ecosystems, and publishing high-impact research. The position offers substantial intellectual independence and opportunities to lead research across fire ecology, forest landscape modeling, and remote sensing integration. Requirements: PhD in Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Earth System Science, or related field, completed by start date (May 1, 2026 or later). Preferred qualifications: experience with landscape models, western forest ecosystems, remote sensing, programming proficiency (R, Python, C/C++), and strong communication skills. Duration: 2 years at 100% time. Salary: $69,073-$82,836. Closes May 31, 2026.