Position Summary
The Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University seeks a postdoctoral scholar to work on a project to analyze bird – habitat relationships across Michigan. The postdoctoral scholar will work on the project, led by Dr. Brett DeGregorio and Dr. Steven Gray, funded by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and will work closely will colleagues from the agency. The ultimate goal and desired deliverables include an interactive, web-based mapping app that displays the distribution of all bird species occurring in Michigan and their likelihood of occurrence at any given location based on remotely sensed habitat features and available eBird status and trends data. Candidate will be responsible for analyzing avian-habitat relationships and developing the interactive web-based mapping tool to display results. Project will consist of two components: the analysis of the avian-habitat associations and then the construction and development of the mapping tool.
Candidates must have extensive experience working with large-scale habitat or avian data sets. Familiarity using eBird data and satellite imagery is preferred. Candidates must have extensive familiarity with GIS-programs (ESRI-preferred) and familiarity with landcover and habitat data within GIS. Candidates should have familiarity with coding languages including R and Python.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Ornithology or related field
Minimum Requirements
PhD (must have PhD or Satisfactory completion of the Ph.D. dissertation defense/orals with minimal revisions needed that are expected to be completed within three to six months) in ornithology or a related field. Experience analyzing avian habitat use and ecology. Extensive experience and background working with birds and GIS.
Desired Qualifications
Experience with eBird data analysis. Experience with ArcGIS or other GIS program. Ability to code in more than 1 programming language (R, python, java, etc).
Required Application Materials
CV and contact information for 3 references.
Special Instructions
This position is funded for one-year from date of hire, with renewal contingent upon the availability of continued funding. The search committee will begin reviewing applications on May 15 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Brett DeGregorio, Michigan Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit Leader, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, degreg12@msu.edu.
Review of Applications Begins On
05/15/2026
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/
Department Statement
The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is a vibrant community of scholars including approximately 50 core faculty, 20 postdoctoral research associates, 100 graduate students, 240 undergraduate students, 7 core staff, and 25 research/center/program staff. Our Mission is to build local, national, and international capacities to conserve ecosystems that support fish, wildlife, and society through integrated programs in research, education and engagement. We are committed to the integrative nature of natural resources conservation and management, with our expertise ranging from disciplinary areas with a long-standing history in the domain of fisheries and wildlife to those emerging more recently.
The DeGregorio Lab studies wildlife behavior, inter-species interactions and wildlife community responses to human impacts and activity. We collectively study a diversity of wildlife including turtles, snakes, songbirds and game birds, and mammalian mesopredators. I am particularly drawn to studying the underappreciated species such as armadillos, skunks, snakes, and opossum. As a group, we are driven more by the research question and opportunity than the taxa. Because of this we work in wetlands, forests, prairies and urban areas and use diverse research tools such as game cameras, radio-telemetry, and automated acoustic loggers.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit at Michigan State University was established in 2023. The goal of the cooperative research unit is to work collaboratively with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Fish and Wildlife Service to solve the natural resource challenges in the state, to mentor graduate students to become the next generation of fish and wildlife professionals, and to contribute to the excellence of the Michigan State University Fisheries and Wildlife Department by mentoring students and teaching graduate level courses.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
