The Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Wildlife Ecotoxicology and Conservation Genomics.
Research Focus & Environmental Scope
Understanding how environmental toxicants and chemical contaminants affect wildlife health is essential for ecosystem conservation and environmental management. Partnering with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Hoopa Valley Tribe, this research project investigates molecular mechanisms of toxicant exposure. Key research areas include:
- Applying transcriptomic workflows (RNA-seq) and differential gene expression analysis to evaluate environmental toxicant impacts on wildlife physiology.
- Constructing reference transcriptomes and conducting conservation genomics analyses on environmental tissue samples.
- Translating molecular ecotoxicology findings into actionable conservation recommendations for state, federal, and Tribal natural resource managers.
Position Package & Stipend
- Salary: $70,000 per year plus comprehensive University of Wisconsin health and retirement benefits.
- Duration: 2-year full-time postdoctoral appointment (with potential extension).
- Location: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Candidate Requirements
- Ph.D. in Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Genetics, Genomics, or Wildlife Biology.
- Hands-on experience with RNA-seq data processing, NGS library preparation, and high-performance computing in Linux.
- Proven publication record in peer-reviewed conservation or molecular ecology journals.
How to Apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested applicants should send a CV, cover letter, and contact information for three references to Dr. Emily Fountain at efountain@wisc.edu.