Post-Doctoral Associate

About the Job

Project Title: Integrating Ecosystem Services into Aquatic Invasive Species Management

Appointment Term: 1 Year (12 months), 75% FTE

Supervisors: Dr. Justin Johnson (Assistant Professor, Applied Economics) & Dr. Colleen Miller (Senior Biodiversity Scientist)

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to lead the ecosystem service identification, valuation, and spatial mapping components of an interdisciplinary project funded through the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC).

Operating at the intersection of environmental economics, spatial analysis, and social-ecological systems, the Postdoctoral Researcher will lead the development of an inventory and spatial database of ecosystem services impacted by aquatic invasive species (AIS)—specifically zebra mussels and starry stonewort—across Minnesota waterbodies. The candidate will co-lead stakeholder focus groups, design service-weighting methods, and collaborate closely with quantitative ecologists and software engineers to integrate economic indices into the AIS Explorer decision-support tool.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

1. Ecosystem Service Valuation & Spatial Mapping (50%)

• Develop an inventory of 8–10 key ecosystem services (provisioning, cultural, regulating, and supporting) vulnerable to AIS in Minnesota waterbodies.
• Synthesize existing spatial datasets (e.g., PEBAT tool outputs, regional water quality metrics, recreation data) and conduct targeted literature reviews to establish baseline environmental benefit values.
• Calculate zonal statistics and standardize complex economic and ecological data into index-based scores for all Minnesota lakes greater than 10 acres.
• Coordinate with team members to integrate these ecosystem service values into an eco-epidemiological network modeling framework and optimization function.

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Focus Group Co-Facilitation (30%)

• Design and lead focus groups, expert elicitations, and workshops with state and local AIS managers, Tribal natural resource departments, lakeshore property owners, and recreational users.
• Incorporate diverse community and Indigenous knowledge systems into service valuation and weighting metrics.
• Translate qualitative stakeholder feedback regarding regional priorities into quantitative weights (wi) for use in optimization models.

3. Dissemination, Tool Integration, & Project Coordination (20%)

• Collaborate with MAISRC staff (Quantitative Ecologist and Outreach Specialist) to test and refine visualization layers within the web-based AIS Explorer tool.
• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts for publication in ecology and environmental economics journals.
• Present research findings at academic conferences (e.g., MAISRC Showcase, regional/national environmental economics meetings) and stakeholder workshops.
• Collaborate with a Water Resources Science (WRS) graduate student working on related modeling tasks.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in Applied Economics, Environmental/Agricultural Economics, Ecological Economics, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field by the start date.
• Technical Skills:
  
  • Demonstrated expertise in ecosystem service valuation frameworks (e.g., InVEST, natural capital accounting, non-market valuation).
  • Advanced spatial analysis capabilities in GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS) or spatial programming in R/Python (spatial data processing, zonal statistics, raster/vector integration).
  • Experience or interest in conducting qualitative or mixed-methods stakeholder research (e.g., focus group facilitation, survey design, expert elicitation).
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a track record of academic writing and the ability to articulate complex economic concepts to non-academic audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with spatial data associated with biophysical aspects of ecosystem service modeling, mapping and valuation
• Familiarity with Minnesota natural resource dynamics and ecosystem services

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $62,902 salary ($47,177 for 0.75 FTE); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

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The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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