Researcher 5

Anticipated Start Date: September 29, 2025
Expected End Date: 31 December 2026
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hours per day
Supervisor of position: Dr. John Fieberg
Work Location: UMTC, St. Paul
Pay Rate: $33.65/hour = $70,000 annual base salary

This is a 100% time, P&A Research Professional 5 position working with Prof. John Fieberg and is currently funded through December 31, 2026.

Job Duties
Project Design and Execution - 20%

• Independently design, plan, and execute advanced research studies.
• Refine research questions and objectives.
• Troubleshoot analytical methods.
• Acquire, organize, and curate relevant datasets needed for statistical analyses.
• Oversee project activities, including potential supervision of student workers.

Data Management and Statistical Analysis - 50%

• Analyze data using appropriate statistical and computational tools.
• Manage data and code for reproducibility and public accessibility.
• Archive data and code from completed analyses in openly available online repositories
• Prepare results for publications and presentations.

Project Reporting, Budgeting, and Outreach- 30%

• Responsible for creation and submission of all project reports and related deliverable products.
• Responsible for budget management, tracking, and reporting.
• Communicate with stakeholders and interest groups via meetings, professional conferences, and other methods of scientific communication of project results.

Required

• PhD in Wildlife, Conservation Biology, or related field with on or more years of research training.
• Strong demonstrated publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals, particularly in avian population ecology
• Excellent statistical skills, including experience writing Bayesian hierarchical population models in JAGS or Nimble
• Experience working with and managing large heterogeneous datasets
• Experience with Git for version control
• Excellent written and personal communication skills
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
• Organizational skills for managing multiple datasets, code, and results
• Excellent time-management skills to stay organized and meet project deadlines

Preferred
Previous experience conducting population analyses on swans, geese, or other birds that exhibit deferred reproduction

• Advanced experience coding in R, including parallel computation using high-performance computing clusters, simulation-based methods, and troubleshooting
• Demonstrated background using a variety of multi-state capture-recapture models
• Experience with Integrated Population Models and data integration techniques
  

John Fieberg is a Professor of Quantitative Ecology in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. Research in his lab largely focuses on the development and application of quantitative methods for understanding animal movements, habitat selection, and demography.

Pay Range: $70,000 annually

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

• A resume must be included.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).