Opportunity:
Holden Forests & Gardens seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to explore patterns of mortality in Eastern hemlock and improve protocols to detect trees that may be resistant to hemlock woolly adelgid. Eastern hemlock is a foundational species of many temperate forests, has been in decline across much of its range in the eastern United States as a result of hemlock woolly adelgid.

The postdoc will independently conduct research into the occurrence of hemlock mortality in the eastern United States using existing and newly collected datasets. A key goal is to improve practices for identifying individuals potentially resistant to hemlock woolly adelgid. Funding is for one year, with an additional year possible based on funding and performance. 

Key responsibilities of the Postdoctoral Research Associate position:

• Conduct scientific research within the scope of the lab or grant
• Collect and analyze scientific data with appropriate measures for presentation
• Record and archive data
• Write manuscripts with the end goal of scientific publication(s)
• Collaborate closely with scientists at Holden Forests & Gardens, the US Forest Service, and other organizations
• Mentor undergraduate and high school students working on the project
• Participate in or lead public outreach activities
• Performs other duties as required by supervisor

 Qualifications and Skills:

• PhD in biology, ecology, forestry or related discipline
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, with the ability to efficiently create, edit, and collaborate on documents and communications across platforms.
• This position is open to US citizens and permanent residents
• Pass a criminal background check