Position Overview

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an interdisciplinary research project investigating avian migration in the Intermountain West with large-scale bioacoustics approaches. This is a full-time appointment for one year with anticipated renewal for a second year, contingent on funding and job performance.

The postdoctoral researcher will play a leading role in analyzing an extensive acoustic dataset of migratory birds in western North America. The project integrates bioacoustic monitoring, machine learning-based species classification, landscape ecology, and weather and radar data to address fundamental and applied questions about bird migration. The position offers opportunities to lead multiple peer-reviewed publications and to collaborate with researchers at UIUC, MPG Ranch, and partner institutions. The postdoctoral researcher will be primarily supervised by Dr. Benjamin Van Doren, Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (https://www.migrationbiology.org/).  

Research Focus

This research will apply recent advances in AI-enabled bioacoustic analysis to a multi-year archive of passive acoustic recordings collected across a network of sites in the Intermountain West. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to research aims that will include (1) landscape influences on migratory habitat use and (2) environmental drivers of migration decision-making. There may also be opportunities to pursue project extensions, such as incorporating additional acoustic datasets, modeling fine-scale migration flows, examining social dynamics of migrants, analyzing regional variation in vocalizations, or linking bioacoustic data with large-scale monitoring programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead quantitative analyses of large-scale bioacoustic, environmental, and landscape datasets

• Integrate acoustic data with radar, weather, and remote-sensing products

• Develop and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts (expected 3–4 papers over the appointment)

• Contribute to project coordination with research partners

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students

• Present findings at scientific conferences and workshops

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Conservation Biology, Computational Biology, or a related field

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills

• Experience working with large ecological datasets

• Proficiency in R and/or Python for data analysis

• Demonstrated ability to lead scientific publications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with bioacoustics, passive acoustic monitoring, or automated species classification

• Familiarity with bird migration ecology

• Experience integrating ecological data with weather, radar, or remote-sensing data

• Background in spatial or landscape ecology

• Interest in applied conservation questions

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated salary range is $55,000–$60,000, commensurate with experience. The position includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Remote Work Policy

Candidates able to work in person at UIUC will be preferred, but hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

UIUC is a leading public research university with a strong tradition of interdisciplinary scholarship. The campus hosts world-class programs in ecology, evolutionary biology, natural resources, computer science, and data science, providing a rich intellectual environment for collaborative research. Champaign-Urbana offers a high quality of life, a low cost of living, and a vibrant academic community.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following documents to the form located at https://forms.gle/XV23vBEDHiRoH1Ei9.

1. A cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and interest in this position

2. A curriculum vitae (CV)

3. Contact information for 3 references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is flexible. Please contact Dr. Benjamin Van Doren (vandoren@illinois.edu) with any questions about this position.