Postdoctoral Position: Plant phenology change over time across spatial scales

Forest Sciences Centre (FSC), Canada

University of British Columbia

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Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Postdoctoral Position: Plant phenology change over time across spatial scales

Department

Research | Myers-Smith Lab | Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences | Faculty of Forestry (Isla Myers-Smith)

Posting End Date

April 6, 2025

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.



Job End Date

Apr 30, 2026

The salary for this position is $60,000 (Canadian funds) annually.

Location: Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada 

Project Overview

Climate change is significantly impacting tundra ecosystems, and one of the critical consequences is the shift in plant phenology - the timing of key life events such as growth and reproduction. In Arctic and alpine tundra, phenological events are highly temperature-sensitive, and changes in the timing of spring green-up, as well as the length of growing seasons, can lead to altered plant composition and, consequently, affect wildlife habitats. In particular, warming temperatures could result in the increase of shrub species and changes in the timing of plant resources available to wildlife with implications across Arctic food webs.

The Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) project in global change ecology of northern ecosystems seeks to investigate how warming temperatures and shifting seasonal patterns affect Arctic tundra, alpine, and boreal forest ecosystems. This research will explore plant growth and flowering dynamics, including phenological change above and below ground and the implications of these shifts in the timing of plant growth across the tundra biome. Additionally, this research will assess the collective impacts of these changes on Indigenous communities’ livelihoods in the Western Canadian Arctic.

As a part of this CERC project, we are offering a postdoctoral position in the Faculty of Forestry at University of British Columbia for a self-motivated candidate with a strong scientific background in the fields of ecology, remote sensing with specific expertise or interests in plant phenology change or a related field with excellent English language skills.

Position Overview 

In this position, you will investigate changes in plant phenology over time, focusing on spatial scales. Your work will involve analyzing existing datasets, including:

- International Tundra Experiment phenology dataset 

- Cross-site time-lapse photography (phenocams)

- Remote sensing data from a variety of satellite platforms

You will quantify shifts in plant phenology across temporal and spatial scales, focusing on how warming temperatures influence key phenological events. You will work with field-collected observations, phenocam imagery (time-lapse photography) and, you will have the opportunity to examine below-ground vegetation changes, such as the timing of root growth, using data from the TundraTime project (https://teamshrub.com/tundratime-project/).

We hypothesize that while warming temperatures may lead to earlier growing seasons, the overall period of plant growth above ground may not extend as expected. Your research will test this hypothesis and contribute to understanding the broader ecological implications of tundra phenology changes. This research will help predict landscape and ecological shifts across the tundra biome in response to ongoing global climate change.

As part of the research team, you will collaborate with early career researchers, Northern partners including Indigenous communities, and international experts to analyze data and integrate findings into broader ecological models, enhancing our understanding of plant phenology shifts across the Arctic.

As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will: 

- Analyze and interpret changes in plant phenology using available datasets (e.g., phenocams, remote sensing data, TundraTime project data)

- Quantify the spatial and temporal dynamics of plant phenology in response to climate change

- Explore below-ground vegetation changes, including root growth timing, across multiple sites

- Contribute to the development of models predicting landscape and ecological changes in response to shifting plant phenology

- Collaborate with researchers from multiple disciplines, including ecology, remote sensing, and mathematical modeling

- Lead and mentor early career researchers as part of an interdisciplinary team

- Contribute to publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals

Minimum Qualifications 

- PhD in ecology, remote sensing, environmental sciences, or a related field

- Strong quantitative skills, including ecological data analysis, statistical analysis and data management

- Proficiency in R and/or Python programming

- An interest in interdisciplinary research spanning ecology, remote sensing, spatial analysis and mathematical ecology

- Experience in writing and publishing peer-reviewed articles

- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

- Ability to work independently and lead collaborative research projects

- Interest in working in an interdisciplinary and collaborative team

- Willingness to mentor early career researchers

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with version control software and conducting collaborative research- Willingness to lead fieldwork in Arctic locations- Knowledge of spatial analysis and Bayesian statistics

- Previous experience conducting fieldwork in northern ecosystems

- Experience working with drone imagery and drone piloting

Offer

- Full-time position (2 years, with the potential to extend to a third year)

- Benefits: UBC offers a comprehensive benefits plan, including extended health and dental coverage

- Opportunity to apply for external funding to support independent research within the research group

About the Organization

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a globally recognized institution, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities worldwide. Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) People, UBC is committed to creating a respectful, diverse, and inclusive environment for students and researchers. The **Faculty of Forestry** is a leader in forestry research, with one of the largest faculties in Canada, and is home to almost 1500 students from over 40 countries.

We strive to create a respectful, positive and safe working environment for people of all backgrounds. We believe that inclusiveness and diversity are essential to academic excellence. We encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, Black-identified persons, other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.         

Application Information

Apply through this workday posting.

For inquiries, contact Prof. Isla Myers-Smith (details at https://forestry.ubc.ca/faculty-profile/isla-myers-smith/).

For more information check out: https://teamshrub.com/team-shrub/opportunities/

Embark on a journey to uncover phenological change across the tundra biome and contribute to globally significant ecological research. We look forward to your application!

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Tags: Bayesian Data analysis Data management PhD Python R Research Statistics

Perks/benefits: Career development Health care Team events

Region: North America
Country: Canada

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