Postdoctoral Associate - Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Postdoctoral Associate - Birds of the World

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is the world's leading resource for conservation, research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. The Lab is a vibrant unit within Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), where full-time faculty and other renowned professionals direct world-class, mission-driven programs. Staff at the Lab teach undergraduate courses, advise graduate students, collect and disseminate world-famous digital resources on biodiversity, and engage with partner organizations and citizens around the world to conduct scientific research and conservation actions. Our management and staff are committed to the highest standards of ethics and excellence in all areas of our work, and our Board leadership includes faculty from Cornell and other universities, successful entrepreneurs and managers from the business and non-profit sectors, and conservation-minded citizens from the United States and beyond.

This position resides with the Lab's Birds of the World (BOW) team, although it is also closely connected to the broader groups and infrastructure through which all the Lab's avian databases are consolidated. BOW is an online series of scholarly monographs that aims to provide authoritative and comprehensive life histories of all bird families and species. Rooted in and linked to the eBird/Clements taxonomy, this series aims to update each family and species account by leveraging the strengths of a community of scientific contributors and editors. Birds of the World produces current, living digital monographs that are available through web and mobile services for students, professionals, citizen scientists, and government agencies worldwide. BOW is in the process of transforming from a text-based resource to a more data-driven one where appropriate, and avian life history data design and development will be a major focus moving forward.

The overarching Postdoctoral Program at the Cornell Lab is currently home to a vibrant community of several dozen postdoctoral associates working across all Lab units, and we strive to provide a supportive and collaborative environment for this community that fosters personal growth and career advancement.

Position Function

The Cornell Lab seeks to provide a comprehensive suite of data services for researchers and practitioners working to conserve birds and biodiversity. The Lab harnesses the power of large-scale community engagement to generate data at scale, and creates actionable science outputs that detail avian distribution, abundance, and population trends across large spatial extents in high spatial and temporal resolution. This position will explore what avian life history data are needed for further expanding the utility of the Lab’s data products from a research and conservation perspective. The primary objectives of this position are:

Determining what avian life history data will be most effective in understanding the drivers of avian abundance and subsequent biodiversity loss across space and time. Determining the current state of knowledge across these critical life history data and identifying existing opportunities for collaboration as well as data gaps. Proposing strategies to fill these gaps (e.g., collaborative partnerships, AI data synthesis, etc.). Implementation to fill identified gaps. Work with Cornell Lab data analysis team to model drivers of decline.

Anticipated Division of Time

• Conduct independent research to meet project goals. (50%)
• Present results at professional meetings, conferences, and popular seminars. Prepare peer reviewed papers and other research products, including reports and relevant information to partners. (20%)
• Collaborate with Principal Investigators on the development of grants proposals and project budgets. (5%)
• Engage in ongoing academic and intellectual life within the Lab of Ornithology and at Cornell University including with research peers and earlier-career students. (10%)
• Present results at professional meetings, conferences, and popular seminars. (5%)
• Participate in general project management and working directly with internal and external project collaborators. (5%)
• Perform related projects and special duties as assigned. (5%)

Other position-related responsibilities:

• Establish and maintain a safe, productive, and respectful working environment that fosters a culture of inclusivity and teamwork.
• Create and sustain an environment that advances diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in all endeavors.
• Model, communicate, and champion the Lab’s values and culture.

Requirements

• PhD in ecology, biology, ecology, marine science, wildlife biology, behavior, conservation, social science, or a related field aligned with the Lab's mission.

• Ability to conduct original research, from conception to completion.
• Strong record of success conducting research and scholarly activities, including publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience with grant writing and budget development helpful.
• Ability to work effectively both in a team and independently.  
• Respect for and sensitivity to differences of culture, identity, and background in the workplace and with external stakeholders.
• Must have strong communication skills and be proficient in spoken and written English.

This position will be located in Ithaca, New York with the potential of working a hybrid schedule from their local home and in-person at the Lab. 

Supervision Exercised

Opportunities exist for informal mentoring of graduate and undergraduate research students.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27488 ).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study,” via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this title is $56,484 to $64,000.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Pay Range:

$56,484.00 - $80,000.00

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
• Unique applicable skills.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information .

Employment Assistance:

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected] .

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at [email protected] .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing [email protected] .

Notice to Applicants:

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by clicking here . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-04-11