Overview: Wildfires are the biggest problem in the wildland urban interface (WUI), i.e., the area where houses and wildland vegetation mix or intermingle, and this combination of fires and development greatly affect biodiversity in the WUI. Our research group has spearheaded the mapping of the WUI and its growth, and we are actively researching wildfire regimes and biodiversity in the WUI. We are seeking candidates for two new positions funded by NASA and the Moore Foundation, which will contribute to exciting collaborative projects with agencies, conservation organizations and other universities.
Positions: We are offering two positions, one for a postdoc and one for a PhD student.
The postdoctoral position is for two years. The appointment will be as a research associate. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and health benefits are included. The position is available immediately, and we seek to fill it by January 15th 2025, but a later start date is negotiable.
The PhD graduate assistantship is for three years. The student will be appointed as a research assistant with a stipend of $35,636/year plus health benefits and tuition remission. The PhD student can start as early as January 1st 2025 if no visa is required, but a June or September of 2025 start date is also acceptable.
Both positions will be based in the SILVIS lab (http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/) and supervised by V. Radeloff. The SILVIS lab is part of the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The university has a long history of excellence in ecology, conservation biology, remote sensing, and wildfire science.
UW-Madison is a major research university in the United States ranking consistently among the top ten university in research expenditures among all U.S. universities. Total student enrollment is 50,000 of which 12,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 2,200 faculty. It is an exciting place to learn and conduct research!
The city of Madison ranks as one of the top places in the U.S. to live and work. For information about campus and city, please see http://www.wisc.edu/about/
Qualifications: We seek candidates who work well in a collaborative setting and have excellent communication and writing skills. Good English writing and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work in a team, are essential. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in the processing and handling of large datasets, statistics, and GIS. Knowledge of remote sensing, or fire ecology, or wildlife habitat/biodiversity analyses is a plus.
Applicants for the post-doc position must have completed their Ph.D. at the time of appointment and have published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Applicants for the PhD student position must have a completed a BS. A MS by the time of appointment is desirable, but candidates with equivalent experience will be considered.
To apply: Please submit your application here:
https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_82hp3El7wGApmCO
Submitting an application includes filling out a small survey and takes approximately 15 minutes. It requires contact information for three references, and to upload in PDF format:
- a 2-page cover letter summarizing research interests and experiences
- a Curriculum Vitae
- unofficial transcripts (both undergraduate and graduate, compiled into one file)
Reference letters and official transcripts will only be required for shortlisted candidates.
The position is open to both U.S. citizens, and international citizens. UW-Madison will assist with visa applications as necessary for those selected for the positions.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Review of applicants will begin immediately, but the positions will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Applications received by November 10th 2025 are guaranteed consideration.
