Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ecological Benefits Perennial Restoration in University of British Columbia – Canada

Summary

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Perennial Ecosystem Restoration for Carbon Sequestration (PERCS) project. This full-time position, based at the UBC Vancouver Campus, focuses on the Spatial Science Synthesis component of the project. The successful candidate will integrate and synthesize social and ecological data related to biodiversity and other benefits of perennial agricultural features. Key responsibilities include ecological field data collection, spatial analyses, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. The role offers an expected salary of $70,000 per year plus benefits, with an initial contract of one year, renewable for an additional year. A PhD in a relevant discipline such as landscape ecology or data science is required. The application deadline is November 29, 2026, with full consideration for applications received by September 30, 2026. The preferred start date is January 1, 2027.

Key Facts

Department	Research Rhemtulla Lab, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship
Position Type	Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Discipline	Landscape Ecology, Agroecology, Agrobiodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Spatial Science, Data Science, Data Management
Research Area	Ecological Benefits of Perennial Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, Landscape Multifunctionality, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Agroforestry
Degree Required	PhD with expertise in a relevant discipline (landscape ecology, spatial ecology, agroecology, data science, data management)
Experience	Experience working in and knowledge about sustainable agricultural systems, agroecology, agroforestry, ecosystem services restoration; experience designing and collecting ecological field data in agricultural systems; working knowledge of ecological research methodology and advanced biostatistics; computer proficiency including statistical software for spatial analyses; experience assembling, organizing, and analyzing large ecological or spatial datasets; experience using diverse spatial approaches and metrics to characterize landscapes; interest or experience integrating social and ecological data; a record of independent research design, execution, and publication.
Salary	$70,000 per year plus benefits
Funding	Perennial Ecosystem Restoration for Carbon Sequestration (PERCS) project partnership grant
Contract Duration	Initial 1 year with possibility for renewal for an additional year upon satisfactory performance. Job End Date: December 31, 2027.
Language	English
Deadline	2026-11-29
Required Documents	Cover letter, CV, Names and contact information for 3 references
Employer Address	UBC Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Employer Contact	Dr. Jeanine Rhemtulla, [email protected]

About the Project

The Perennial Ecosystem Restoration for Carbon Sequestration (PERCS) project is a partnership grant involving four Canadian universities and seven partner organizations. It aims to examine carbon sequestration co-benefits and the adoption potential of restoring perennial plantings, such as hedgerows, windbreaks, and riparian restoration, in Canadian agricultural landscapes. This Postdoctoral Research Fellow position specifically supports the Spatial Science Synthesis component, focusing on integrating and synthesizing project-wide social and ecological data to understand the impact of perennial agricultural features on landscape multifunctionality.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborating with project leads on research study design, implementation, analysis, and publishing of high-impact peer-reviewed papers.
• Leading completion of ecological field work and data collection, including leading a small team of undergraduate students.
• Compiling, managing, and synthesizing data across sub-projects.
• Collaborating across disciplinary teams, institutions, and with project partners.
• Communicating results through reports, journal publications, professional conferences, and partner workshops.
• Participating in team meetings, mentoring, and supervising of trainees.
• Providing other support as required by the research team.

Required Skills

• PhD with expertise in landscape ecology, spatial ecology, agroecology, data science, or data management.
• Experience working in and knowledge about sustainable agricultural systems, agroecology, agroforestry, ecosystem services restoration.
• Experience designing and collecting ecological field data in agricultural systems.
• Working knowledge of ecological research methodology and advanced biostatistics.
• Computer proficiency including use of statistical software for spatial analyses such as ArcGIS, QGIS, R, Google Earth Engine.
• Experience assembling, organizing, and analyzing large ecological or spatial datasets.
• Experience using diverse spatial approaches and metrics to characterize and describe landscapes.
• Interest or experience integrating social and ecological data.
• A record of independent research design, execution, and publication of results.
• Strong commitment to conducting collaborative interdisciplinary research.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills in English.

Who Should Apply

Candidates with a PhD in landscape ecology, spatial ecology, agroecology, data science, or data management are encouraged to apply. Ideal applicants will have experience in sustainable agricultural systems, ecological field data collection, advanced biostatistics, and spatial analysis software. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential for this interdisciplinary research role. Individuals interested in contributing to evidence-based policy recommendations for perennial restoration in agricultural landscapes are particularly well-suited.

Benefits

• Expected salary of $70,000 per year plus benefits.
• Opportunity to work within a large, multidisciplinary PERCS project.
• Collaboration with multiple Canadian universities and partner organizations.
• Contribution to evidence-based policy recommendations and practical strategies for perennial restoration.
• Mentoring and supervision opportunities for trainees.
• Opportunities to contribute to shared synthesis goals across a cluster of three Postdoctoral Fellows.

About the Employer

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a leading institution in Canada. This position is based at the UBC Vancouver Campus within the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Dr. Jeanine Rhemtulla, who leads the Landscapes Livelihoods Lab. UBC is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main focus of this Postdoctoral Research Fellow position?

The main focus is on the Spatial Science Synthesis component of the PERCS project, integrating and synthesizing social and ecological data on biodiversity and other benefits of perennial agricultural features.

What is the expected salary for this position?

The expected salary is $70,000 per year, plus benefits.

What is the duration of the contract?

The initial position is for 1 year, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year upon satisfactory performance. The job end date is December 31, 2027.

What are the required qualifications for applicants?

Applicants must have a PhD with expertise in a relevant discipline such as landscape ecology, spatial ecology, agroecology, data science, or data management.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants need to submit a cover letter, a CV, and the names and contact information for 3 references.

When is the preferred start date for the position?

The preferred start date is January 1, 2027, but applications will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.