The Montana Institute on Ecosystems (IoE) is a community of scholars and partners with a shared vision to advance integrated environmental sciences and related fields. We draw on the extraordinary landscapes of Montana and beyond to better understand complex ecosystems including the interconnectedness of people and nature. This statewide effort is led from operational hubs at both Montana State University and The University of Montana (http://montanaioe.org/). Supporting this statewide collaborative approach, a cohort of IoE Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are being advertised through both universities.

Montana and the region provide one of the best and most visible natural laboratories on our planet for science on ecosystems. From the Crown of the Continent to the Upper Missouri to Greater Yellowstone to the High Plains, Montana’s ecosystems provide world-class settings for research and education. Leveraging place and outstanding faculty and students across the Montana University System, the Institute is coordinating and facilitating inter-institutional, interdisciplinary activities in ecosystem and environmental science research, education, and engagement efforts, providing linkages to related activities underway at tribal colleges, and drawing on the expertise and experience of diverse partners. Montana State University and The University of Montana are building the IoE, together.

Founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of eight academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 14,000 students, including approximately 1,900 graduate students. MSU is classified as one of 108 U.S. Research Universities (very high research activity) by the Carnegie Foundation.

The Montana Institute on Ecosystems (IoE) catalyzes and sponsors interdisciplinary research, transformative education, and solution-driven engagement on the environment, focusing on mountain and high plains ecosystems in Montana and globally. Support is now available for a cohort of Postdoctoral Research Associate positions to join collaborative statewide IoE teams studying ecosystem-climate linkages through the integration of microbial, terrestrial, aquatic, and climate sciences. Funded by the Montana NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (MT EPSCoR) Track-1 program, each Postdoctoral Associate will join teams working in and across three broadly defined focus areas (see below). The research framework utilizes four benchmark ecosystems in Montana (the Crown of the Continent, High Plains, Upper Missouri, and Greater Yellowstone), as a globally relevant natural laboratory for understanding climate and land-use change. More information on the EPSCoR research agenda can be found at http://montanaioe.org/research/mtepscor.

Up to six 2-year Postdoctoral Research Associate positions, with possible extension, will be hired by the IoE. The successful applicants will be stationed with 3 post-docs at Montana State University and 3 post-docs at The University of Montana. Post-docs function within the framework of the broader research team but will be co-supervised by the IoE Faculty Fellows overseeing the research of the Focus Area from both universities. All post-docs will be expected to work collaboratively with researchers from other institutions, including those from federal and state agencies and tribal colleges. Postdoctoral Associates will work with focus area teams to develop their specific contribution to the research agenda and their broader engagement within the IoE community. In addition to salary, funds will be available for supplies and travel. Postdoctoral Associates are expected to contribute to IoE-related educational activities and other programs, as appropriate for career development, including participation in the IoE research seminar series.

Focus 1: Feedbacks between microbial dynamics and ecosystem processes.

Research area: Examine the microbiology of ecosystem function along moisture gradients spanning from hill slopes to riparian zones (Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest) and in saturated flood plain environments (Nyack Flood Plain, Flathead River), and possibly in large subalpine lake environments (Yellowstone and Flathead Lakes). Postdoctoral research focus is to tie microbial community composition and function to ecosystem processes (greenhouse gas cycling). For more information, contact Drs. Tim McDermott (timmcder@montana.edu ) and Maury Valett (maury.valett@umontana.edu ).

Focus 2: Linkages among landscape patterns and ecosystem processes

Research area: Investigate linkages between physical and ecological watershed processes and system feedbacks and resilience. Postdoctoral research focus is to (1) examine the spatial and temporal patterns of biogeochemical processes that emerge from and are constrained by the dynamic physical template (e.g., water availability, temperature) of stream networks and their catchments; and (2) link insights gained from watershed hydrology and reach-scale hydro-geomorphic models to examine how stressors (e.g., climate change, land-use change) affect material fluxes (e.g., water, sediment, nutrients) at multiple scales. For more information, contact Drs. Geoff Poole (gpoole@montana.edu ) and Andrew Wilcox (andrew.wilcox@umontana.edu ).

Focus 3: Assessing landscape scale vulnerability of ecosystem responses to climate change

Research area: Build and apply an ecosystem and climate-change vulnerability model for the northern Rocky Mountain region, requiring integration of remote sensing data, ecosystem biogeochemistry, spatial climatology and dynamic landscape vegetation models in a geospatial computational framework. The framework will be used to evaluate where the changing climate will alter geography and functioning of Rocky Mountain ecosystems. Postdoctoral research focus is on (1) climate variability and climate influences on biogeochemistry and ecosystem processes; and (2) modeling responses of vegetation communities and plant species to climate change. For more information, contact Drs. Andy Hansen (hansen@montana.edu ) and Steven Running (swr@ntsg.umt.edu ).

1. Ph.D. degree in a discipline relevant to one or more of the three focus areas.
   • With specific focus areas:
   1. Focus 1: Evidence of skills and experience in molecular microbial ecology or biogeochemistry, with the expectation that skills will be enhanced through IoE team activities.
   2. Focus 2: Evidence of skills and experience in statistical analysis and hydrologic, geomorphic and/or ecosystem processes modeling.
   3. Focus 3: Evidence of skills and experience in statistical analysis, ecological theory, and systems modeling.
2. Experience and skills for leading research and synthesis activities in one of the three focus areas identified above.

1. Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and/or cooperatively with faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.
2. Evidence of obtaining external funding to support research.
3. Evidence of strong writing and communication skills.
   1. Focus 1: Demonstrated experience in quantitative PCR and pyrosequencing-based metagenomics, field solute and gas sampling, tracer and nutrient releases, and microcosm bioassays.

• Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate successfully with a diverse team of researchers, students, and staff.
• Maintain effective attention to detail, meet deadlines, and prioritize competing demands.
• Display an aptitude for problem solving and facilitating the work of others.
• Take initiative and work well independently.
• Willingness to travel between Bozeman and Missoula, MT and to field sites and professional meetings.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Montana driver’s license.

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• A cover letter describing your research interests and qualification
• Curriculum Vitae
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