Job Description

Position Summary:

The Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct independent and collaborative research on the interactions between rangeland soil moisture and adaptive and traditional management practices. The selected researcher will work directly with Dr. Raynor at the Colorado State University Semiarid Grasslands Research Center (SGRC) and Dr. David Hoover in the USDA Agricultural Research Service Rangeland Research & Systems Research Unit at the Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER). They will lead efforts to advance rangeland ecohydrological understanding through the integration of soil characteristics, precipitation, and remote-sensing vegetation data to inform adaptive management practices in semiarid rangelands. The initial appointment is for 12 months, with the option to renew for an additional term, contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued funding availability.

Full Consideration Date: Monday, October 12, 2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Essential Job Duties:

Research Execution:

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments or computational modeling related to  ecohydrological processes in semiarid rangelands.
• Data Analysis: Collect, analyze, and interpret complex datasets using specialized methodologies and software.
• Scholarly Dissemination: Write and publish peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts. Prepare and present research findings at national conferences.

Leadership:

• Provide training, mentorship, and supervision to undergraduate and graduate student researchers.
• Contribute to developing and writing grant proposals.
• Maintain strict adherence to CSU biosafety, environmental health, and IRB/IACUC regulatory protocols, where applicable.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires).
• Valid driver's license by employment start date.
• Authorized to work in the United States by employment start date.

Supervision:

• May supervise research associates or hourly staff involved in research activities, including assignments, training, and performance feedback.
• May provide functional supervision or coordination for CAES research station staff contributing to research and demonstration projects.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: A Ph.D. (or equivalent doctoral degree) in Rangeland Science and Management, Ecology, Grassland Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Hydrology or closely related field completed prior to the proposed start date.
• Experience: Demonstrated research productivity evidenced by first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical Skills: Proficiency in common spatial and statistical ecological techniques, e.g., Python, R, ArcGIS.

Salary Range

$60,000 - $65,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

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Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.