Title

Reports to

Postdoctoral Fellow in invasion ecology and biogeography

Evelyn Beaury, Center for Conservation and Restoration Ecology

Position Summary:

The New York Botanical Garden is hiring a postdoctoral fellow to work on an NSF-funded project led by Curator Evelyn Beaury. The project focuses on mapping the geography of U.S. plant trade as a driver of biological invasions, using a large dataset of historical and contemporary trade records (https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4106) to examine how plant introductions influence species distributions, invasion dynamics, and socioeconomic trade-offs. The research will investigate 1) how spatial and temporal patterns of trade over the past 200 years explains contemporary hotspots of plant invasion, 2) how introduction history informs our fundamental understanding of niche and range dynamics, and 3) how the socioeconomic and cultural benefits of plants in trade compare to the risk of new invasions. Funding includes all research expenses and participation at domestic and international conferences.

This is a 2-3 year in-person appointment based at NYBG, where the Postdoc will have a unique opportunity to study invasions at the intersection of biodiversity research, horticulture, and public education. The Postdoc will also have opportunities to collaborate across academic, agency, and practitioner networks. In particular, the Postdoc will be expected to contribute to the activities of the RISCC Networks (https://www.risccnetwork.org), which are regional partnerships among invasive species researchers, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to reduce the combined impacts of invasions and climate change. 

Start date: As soon as December 1st, 2025. Position open until filled.

To apply, candidates must attach the following materials:

1. A cover letter detailing why you are interested, what makes you a good fit for the position, and thoughts on potential research directions related to the projects described above. Please include contact information for 2-3 academic references at the bottom of your cover letter.
2. Current CV.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead spatial and statistical analyses linking trade data with invasion patterns, socioeconomic variables, and environmental predictors.
• Work with NYBG’s LuEsther T. Mertz Library to digitize and synthesize additional historical data on plant trade.
• Write and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts and present results at scientific conferences. 
• Contribute to research and learning communities at NYBG by engaging in collaborative science, supporting biodiversity conservation, and fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Engage with stakeholders and contribute to translational research products as part of the Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (https://www.risccnetwork.org/northeast). Project funding includes support for an in-person convening of stakeholders, which the Postdoc will help organize.
• Mentor graduate, undergraduate, and high school students depending on the candidate’s interests.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in geography, ecology, biogeography, environmental science or a related field. Candidates with expertise in social geography may be considered, but some background in environmental science is required.
• Strong quantitative and computational skills, especially in GIS/spatial analysis, ecological modeling, and handling large datasets.
• Ideal candidates will have research experience in human–environment interactions, coupled social–ecological systems, and/or translational ecological research.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

This position is computer- and office-based at the New York Botanical Garden, with access to the gardens, research facilities, a GIS lab and computing cluster, and library collections. This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Occasional travel will be required for conferences, workshops, or field meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

The New York Botanical Garden is a vibrant and dynamic workplace, housing divisions of Science, Education, and Horticulture. NYBG’s commitment to these divisions offers a unique opportunity to conduct research on plant invasions with a direct connection to decision-makers and to the public. NYBG Science is home to 21 Principal Investigators, more than 60 staff, and a cohort of postdocs and graduate students. The Postdoc will sit in Science’s Center for Conservation and Restoration Ecology (CCRE). In the CCRE, we work across scales and disciplines, using our skills and capacity in urban ecology, forest ecology, global change ecology, and invasion ecology to promote environmental action, stem biodiversity loss, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and redress environmental justice issues. For more information on the CCRE and NYBG Science, please see our new Science Strategy: https://www.nybg.org/planttalk/announcing-the-nybg-science-strategy-an-innovative-vision-for-the-future-of-research-and-conservation/.

Baseline Work Schedule: 

35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, with flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends