Call for Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biodiversity Forecasting and Climate Change

*Application review begins 1 November 2026*

The Institute for Global Change Biology (IGCB) at the University of Michigan seeks a postdoctoral researcher to support an international synthesis project examining how climate change may reshape ecosystem functioning and evolutionary diversity through its effects on species distributions. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development of analytical frameworks that integrate species distribution models, climate vulnerability assessments, functional traits, ecosystem services, and phylogenetic information to better understand biodiversity responses to global environmental change.

The position will support the Freshwater Futures Working Group, funded by the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution (CIEE). The working group brings together an international team of researchers from the University of Regina, University of Toronto, McGill University, and Dalhousie University in Canada; the University of Michigan and the University of Vermont in the United States; the Federal University of Ceará and the Federal University of Pará in Brazil; and the Zoological Society of London in the United Kingdom. The group aims to develop open, reproducible tools for assessing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and evolutionary history, with a particular focus on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity policy applications.

The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Dr. Thiago Gonçalves-Souza and Dr. Bruno Soares (University of Regina) and will work closely with an international network of ecologists, conservation scientists, and biodiversity policy experts. The position offers substantial opportunities to collaborate across institutions while developing independent research projects related to biodiversity forecasting, climate adaptation, and conservation planning.

We seek an outstanding candidate with strong computational and quantitative skills and training in ecology, biodiversity science, environmental science, geography, statistics, computer science, or a related discipline. Candidates must have strong quantitative programming skills and experience with ecological modeling and species distribution models (SDMs). Experience with biodiversity analyses, environmental data science, ecological forecasting, or climate change vulnerability assessments would be particularly valuable. Additional assets include experience with macroecology and biogeography, functional or phylogenetic diversity analyses, and the development of analytical tools, R packages, or dashboards.

The postdoctoral researcher will serve as a core member of the working group and will:

• Support the development and synthesis of regional and large-scale biodiversity analyses.
• Develop reproducible workflows integrating biodiversity, trait, climate, and phylogenetic datasets.
• Quantify uncertainties associated with biodiversity projections and climate vulnerability assessments.
• Contribute to the development of biodiversity indicators relevant to conservation planning and international biodiversity targets.
• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed publications.

The candidate will work closely with scientists studying biodiversity change across multiple ecological systems while helping develop new approaches that connect biodiversity forecasts to ecosystem functioning, resilience, and conservation decision-making. This position provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a highly collaborative synthesis effort at the interface of global change ecology, biodiversity science, and environmental policy. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research community at the Institute for Global Change Biology and participate in mentoring, professional development, and international networking opportunities. 

The successful applicant will have completed a PhD in ecology, biology, environmental science, geography, computer science, statistics, or a related field prior to the start date. An excellent publication record, strong communication and organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to work independently are required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in ecological modeling, biodiversity forecasting, interdisciplinary synthesis projects, and computational tool development.
Review of applications will begin November 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The appointment period will initially be for one year, with the possibility of extension pending satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Applications should include:

1. A cover letter (maximum 1 page) describing the applicant's relevant research experience and explaining how their background, technical skills, and research interests align with the objectives of this postdoctoral project. Applicants should also briefly describe how they envision contributing to the project and indicate their anticipated start date.
2. A curriculum vitae, including publications and funding history.
3. PDF copies of up to three representative publications.
4. Contact information and letters from three references; please ask referees to upload their letters here.

Combine all materials into a single PDF and upload the file in the application form here. For questions regarding the position, please contact Thiago Gonçalves-Souza ([email protected]) and Bruno Soares ([email protected]).
 

Call for Global Synthesis Working Group Postdoctoral Research Fellow: sModelProBio

*Application deadline is 30 September 2026*

The Institute for Global Change Biology at the University of Michigan seeks a postdoctoral researcher for a regional biodiversity model intercomparison project (BMIP) examining diverse correlative, process-based, and hybrid biodiversity models for projecting species and population responses to climate and land-use change. The postdoctoral researcher will support the development and synthesis of the model intercomparison of the sModelProBio working group (led by Greta Bocedi, University of Aberdeen and Damaris Zurell, University of Potsdam). The sModelProBio working group represents a collaborative project of sDiv (Synthesis Centre of the German Center for Biodiversity, iDiv) and the Institute for Global Change Biology, funded under the multi-institutional Global Synthesis Call on “Interactions between Biodiversity and Climate Change”. The sModelProBio working group is made up of an international team of researchers from the University of Aberdeen, University of Potsdam, University of Connecticut, San Diego State University, the University of Michigan, and elsewhere. This effort fills a critical gap in biodiversity science by providing robust regional-scale projections required for conservation planning and policy implementation. The postdoc will be co-supervised by Peter Reich (Director of the IGCB) and sModelProBio leaders Damaris Zurell and Greta Bocedi.

We seek an outstanding candidate with strong computational and quantitative skills and training in ecology, biodiversity science, environmental science, or a related discipline. Candidates must have expertise in programming, including in R, and experience in ecological modelling. The successful candidate might also have experience in one or more of these areas: Bayesian modeling, ecological forecasting, simulation modeling, ecophysiological modeling, hybrid AI-mechanistic models, or related quantitative approaches.

The postdoctoral researcher will be a member of the working group, support the modelling case studies, develop reproducible analytical workflows, quantify sources of uncertainty, and contribute to biodiversity projections relevant to conservation planning and policy. Opportunities will exist to develop independent projects, receive training from multiple scientists, and contribute to international workshops. The candidate will work closely with an international network of biodiversity and climate scientists while helping to develop new approaches for linking regional biodiversity projections with broader-scale assessments. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to a highly collaborative synthesis effort at the forefront of biodiversity forecasting and global change ecology.

The successful applicant will have completed a PhD degree in ecology, biology, Earth sciences, computer science, or a related field prior to the start date. An excellent publication record, strong organizational and communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to work independently are required. Preference will be given to scientists with experience in ecological modeling, software or package development, and designing novel computational workflows.

The application deadline is September 30, 2026. The initial appointment period will be for one year with the expectation of a single renewal pending satisfactory performance. The successful candidate will participate in a program that includes career mentoring, professional development, and academic networking opportunities. Applications must include: 1) a cover letter that explains your fit to the research position, what novel insights or skills you would add, and your potential start date; 2) a complete CV with publications and grants; and 3) PDF copies of at least three publications, and 4) letters from two references; please ask both to upload their letters here. Combine all other parts of the application into a single PDF and upload the file in the application form here. Contact the IGCB Program Manager (Maureen Driscoll; [email protected]) with any questions. The position includes a competitive salary and health insurance.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

2026 Call for IGCB Postdoctoral Fellows 

Institute for Global Change Biology: Call for Postdoctoral Fellows 

*Application deadline is 30 September 2026*

The Institute of Global Change Biology (IGCB) at the University of Michigan is seeking another round of exceptional applicants for the IGCB Michigan Postdoctoral Fellows Program. Successful applicants will have the opportunity and support to advance research in any aspect of global change biology.  They will also be able to participate in programs that include career mentoring, professional development, and academic networking opportunities. Applicants with interest across all areas of global change biology are invited to apply. For examples of previously funded projects, please see Research Fellows (past and present) on our website.

Faculty mentorship is a valued component of the IGCB Postdoctoral Fellows Program. The program requires regular collaboration and planning between Research Fellows and their mentors. We encourage applicants to contact at least two potential postdoc mentors at Michigan– we highly encourage co-mentoring. Preference will be given to applicants who bridge disciplines; co-mentoring across schools/departments is strongly encouraged. Co-funding of postdoc salaries (e.g. through grants to potential co-mentors or postdoc fellowships to candidates) is also encouraged but not expected. Potential mentors and their areas of interest are available on our website (see both the Steering Committee and Affiliated Faculty sections), although University of Michigan faculty mentors who are not yet affiliated with the IGCB will also be considered.

IGCB Michigan Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to be full participants in IGCB activities: including attending a weekly ‘Postdoc Plus’ group meeting and periodic IGCB seminars, workshops and training exercises; attending and/or presenting at annual IGCB Postdoc Plus, PhD student, and ‘all hands’ symposia; serving on the next IGCB Postdoc Fellows competition committee; providing timely updates for the IGCB website; and interacting in a variety of ways with other Fellows, and with IGCB Graduate Fellows  and Exchange Fellows.

The application deadline is September 30, 2026. Research in global change biology happens in many departments and units on campus, so Fellows could be jointly based in one of a number of departments and the IGCB. Successful applicants would be able to start their appointment as soon as feasible after a decision has been reached, but preferably not later than June 30, 2027 (although we can be flexible as needed). Most postdoc fellowships are expected to span two years; University protocols require a one-year initial appointment and subsequent evaluation. Postdocs of more than two years may be feasible when co-funding is available.

Applications must include: (1) A 1-page cover letter; (2) a CV; (3) names and contact information for three references; (4) a research statement. Research statements should include plans for proposed research and anticipated mentors at the University of Michigan (3 pages maximum, excluding references) and a short paragraph describing how the applicant’s research would fit in with and contribute to the IGCB Research Themes. Combine all parts of the application into a single PDF and upload the file in the application form here. Applicants should direct all three referees to upload their letters here.

Need additional information? See frequently asked questions and their responses here. Contact [email protected] with any remaining inquiries.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Training Opportunities

These training opportunities are open to IGCB postdoc and graduate students, as well as other global change researchers who would like to make use of them. 

Postdoc Plus Community

The IGCB postdoc group has weekly sessions with the wider IGCB community, where postdocs (and sometimes grad students) can present their work, get feedback on research and/or manuscripts, or even just get advice on something they are working on. 

Lunch-and-learn

The IGCB hosts regular lunch-and-learn sessions where we invite a speaker to discuss various topics with us over lunch. 

Stats and coding help

The IGCB's Thiago Gonçalves-Souza organises a range of stats and programming related courses/sessions that all are welcome to join.