Job Details

Description

The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, in partnership with the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station, is seeking a full-time (100% FTE) postdoctoral scholar with expertise in fire modeling and remotely sensed data to support innovative research. This project will improve our understanding of the conditions under which fuel treatments produce desired socioecological outcomes during wildfire events. The postdoctoral scholar will join a collaborative team of researchers, including federal scientists, university faculty, and other postdoctoral scholars, working on the development of a core, scalable methodology. This methodology leverages existing spatial data on landscapes, fire behavior, and fuel treatments to evaluate real-world wildfire-treatment encounters across diverse U.S. landscapes. The goal is to produce empirical casestudies of wildfire-treatment outcomes (WTOs). Fuel treatments are designed to alter fire behaviorsuch as reducing intensity, rate of spread, or spotting potentialwhen a wildfire occurs.

The postdoctoral scholar will join the WTO team to evaluate the reduction of fire severity, the successful containment of fire spread, and the reduction of impacts to homes and critical infrastructure. These three outcomes are connected to the three pillars of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (Cohesive Strategy) of fire resilient landscapes, safe and effective wildfire response, and fire-adapted communities, respectively. The postdoctoral scholar will conduct research that takes advantage of the tremendous variability in landscape, fire, and treatment characteristics to conduct a set of natural experiments, taking an approach based on big data and remote sensing to learning from past fuel treatment activities. These empirical, data-driven assessments of wildfire-treatment outcomes (WTOs) are essential for informing process-based models of future treatment effectiveness under changing climate conditions. The findings will also support improved treatment design and layout, real-time decision-making during wildfire incidents, and the adaptive management and monitoring of fuel treatment investments. This research includes both place-based empirical case studies and methodological innovation. As such, the postdoctoral scholars contributions will help build a robust foundation for enhanced monitoring systems, rapid assessment of treatment effectiveness, and collaborative learning with agency partners.

The postdoctoral scholar will be based in Seattle and will work primarily at the USFS Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory. The incumbent will collaborate closely with team members across other USFS Research Stations nationwide. While much of the research will be conducted in the laboratory, the position may also involve field visits to wildfire sites to test and validate research protocols developed for this project.

Duties/Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be responsible for processing and analyzing large remote sensing datasets (e.g., Landsat, Sentinel-2, MODIS) and spatial datasets (e.g., FACTs, FTEM, field data) both locally with R/Python and via Google Earth Engine for wild-treatment outcome research. Work will include analysis of spatial and related data (vector, raster, imagery) sufficient to support multi-scale and/or multi-resource planning, assessments, and monitoring. Knowledge of data and data management sufficient to create, transform and integrate data in a variety of resolutions and formats. Analysis will include running machine learning algorithms (e.g., Random Forest, CART) and regression models (e.g., SAR, LME) to derive ecological insights from big data sets. The project entails developing reproducible and scalable methodologies, using common software and programming languages, that can be used by land managers for decision making support. The incumbent will work with principal investigators and professional staff from the University of Washington and the USFS PNW Research Station to analyze geospatial data to support resource management decisions for multiple resource, jurisdictional, and ownership units or a large geographical region. It requires knowledge of cartographic principles and conventions sufficient to create maps for external and internal use that display natural resource and socio-economic information and highlight particular analysis results. The incumbent will be of a team that will engage and collaborate with both the University researchers and outside experts and stakeholders. The postdoctoral scholar will lead writing of study reports and related publication manuscripts.

Compensation:

Salary range for this position is $7,000 - $7,800 per month commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

About the University of Washington:

The University of Washington (Seattle campus), a leader in undergraduate and graduate education and one of the world's premiere research universities, offers rigorous academic programs, outstanding faculty, and diverse cultural and social opportunities in a stimulating intellectual environment. The College of the Environment, including its six Schools and Departments and multiple programs, institutes, and centers, connects educators, researchers, students, and citizens, cultivating communities who work with and learn from each other while tackling critical environmental challenges. The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences is dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge for the stewardship of natural and managed environments and the sustainable use of their products and services through teaching, research, and outreach. Our Seattle location is ideal, with access to a multitude of collaboration opportunities in a vibrant urban location with the allure of the mountains, forests, and islands within 45 minutes of campus.

The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty, and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see ).

The UW and School of Environmental and Forest Sciences promote diversity and inclusivity among our students, faculty, staff, and public. Thus, we are strongly seeking candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website .

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in quantitative sciences, quantitative ecology, resource management, forestry, remote sensing, geographic information systems, or related fields and have no more than 3 years of total postdoctoral experience by the start of the appointment.
• Experience processing and analyzing large remote sensing datasets (e.g., Landsat, Sentinel-2, MODIS) and geospatial datasets (e.g., FACTs, FTEM, field data) both locally with R/Python and via Google Earth Engine for wildfire and fuel treatment outcome research.
• Proficient with running machine learning algorithms (e.g., Random Forest, CART) and regression models (e.g., SAR, LME) to derive ecological insights from big data sets.
• Experience developing reproducible and scalable methodologies, using common software and programming languages, that can be used by land managers for multi-scale and/or multi-resource decision-making support for planning, assessments, and monitoring.
• Background on natural resource management applications and wildland fire sciences.
• Strong record of publications and verbal presentations. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team of scientists and managers.

University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five years/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit an application via Interfolio. Applicants must submit:

1. A statement of research interests and relevant skills and experiences

2. A CV including demonstrated scholarly production (e.g., list of publications, presentations, public datasets, or code)

3. A representative example of your scholarly work/s

4. Names, addresses, emails, and telephone numbers of three references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but apply by October 10, 2025, to receive full consideration. The position will start as soon as possible, but no later than December 1, 2025.

The initial appointment will be 100% FTE for one year with renewal for a second year depending on performance and funding.

Questions regarding potential disability accommodations during the application process can be directed to ...@uw.edu .

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conductthis search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossieraccount and can send all application materials, includingconfidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-###-#### or ...@uw.edu .