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Postdoctoral Research Position in Biodiversity Dynamics from the Piedmont into the Appalachia

The School of Biological Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology invites applications for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our community to explore the effects of global change on regional biodiversity in the southeastern United States. We will leverage collaborations with regional partners to evaluate biodiversity patterns and dynamics across the ecosystems that feed into the southern Appalachians, a critically understudied region for many dimensions of biodiversity conservation. The research position will involve partnering with computer scientists to collate, process, and analyze large datasets to assess ecosystem resilience and strategies to bolster ongoing biodiversity conservation practices. This position will contribute to ongoing projects within the Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow (GT2) Center, which is leveraging ongoing research in the College of Sciences to maximize regional impacts. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with internal and external partners to assess how diverse adaptation strategies—such as habitat connectivity, restoration, urban planning practices, and regional partnerships—can mitigate biodiversity loss and promote resilience across Georgia and beyond.

Qualifications

  • PhD in biological sciences, computer sciences, conservation biology, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
    • Biogeography, spatial ecology, or GIS
    • Data analysis utilizing large biological and environmental datasets
    • Machine learning and/or biostatistics
  • Strong programming and computational skills.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.

If aspects of this position sound interesting to you, even if you do not possess all the skills listed, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Position Description
Appointment: Initial term of 1 year with the opportunity to extend to a second year (funding is currently for 2 years) and several options for further expansion on upcoming grant submissions

Anticipated Start Date: Spring 2026 (start date is flexible).

Mentors: Dr. Jenny McGuire, Dr. Ben Freeman, Dr. James Stroud- School of Biological Sciences

Collaborators: Dr. Steve Mussmann (School of Computer Science), Dr. Michel Kohl (UGA)

Partners: Amphibian Foundation, Birds Georgia, The Nature Conservancy, National Wildlife Foundation, Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Museum, City of Atlanta, City of Avondale, GA Department of Natural Resources

Salary: This position offers an annual stipend of $62,000, inclusive of a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following documents as a single PDF to the linked website:

  1. Cover letter stating your interest in this position, your fit, and your previous experience related to this position description, including scientific goals and interests
  2. A curriculum vitae (CV).
  3. Contact information for 2-3 professional references.

Applicants will be reviewed starting on April 13, 2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. McGuire (jmcguire@gatech.edu) with any questions before applying.

About Georgia Tech
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a leading public research university located in Atlanta, a vibrant, culturally diverse city with robust economic sectors. Serving over 45,000 students, Georgia Tech is globally recognized for its top-tier programs in engineering, computing, sciences, business, design, and liberal arts. In the past year, Georgia Tech faculty secured over $1.4 billion in research funding across disciplines, including artificial intelligence, energy sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks in the top 20 U.S. universities for research and development expenditures and is No. 1 among U.S. institutions without a medical school.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Any postdoctoral candidates must be seeking to work with Jenny to pursue a fellowship opportunity (e.g.- NSF EAR, NSF BIO, AAUW, etc.). We seek to create a community of scientists with complementary backgrounds that will be mutually informative. Any researcher with a broad interest in integrating a paleontological perspective with spatial ecology and/or conservation biology are welcome to apply. Prior experience in paleontology is not required. Please see the general "Opportunities" page for more information about topics currently being targeted, or feel free to pitch your own.

If you you are interested in teaming with the lab to target an such an opportunity, please contact Jenny. Please email me with sufficient lead time for us to collaborate on a competitive proposal. Outline the funding source that you have identified, the due date and requirements of the application, and the basic idea of what you plan to propose.

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