The UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science invites applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowship in California Conservation Science. Consistent with our mission, we seek a postdoctoral scholar who simultaneously conducts innovative research and interfaces with the conservation and management agencies that direct and lead California conservation. Our emphasis is on biological conservation, and the successful candidate could work in any discipline that provides the scientific underpinnings for the preservation, protection, management, or restoration of at-risk species, environments, or ecological communities. We will consider candidates who have recently completed their PhD, or will have completed it by the start date for this position. We envision hiring one Fellow each year, building a team of conservation scientists with a passion for California and its biodiversity.

The La Kretz Fellowship is for two years, subject to review after the first year. Our start date is as early as October 1, 2013.  The successful applicant will be expected to conduct research that bridges the interests of at least one UCLA faculty member who is also a La Kretz affiliate with priority science concerns of resource management agencies in the Santa Monica Mountains or Greater Los Angeles area (e.g. National Park Service, CA State Parks, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Agency); we strongly encourage applicants to contact their faculty mentor to develop a research plan. We also anticipate that the Fellow will also work with Brad Shaffer, Director of the La Kretz Center, to help develop collaborative research projects that further the mission of the Center. The position has an annual salary of approximately $40,000 plus full benefits, and the Fellow will have the option to reside at the newly renovated La Kretz Field Station, located in the Santa Monica Mountains about 25 miles from campus.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, short (1-2 page) description of research  and management accomplishments, short (1-2 page) description of proposed research including potential faculty mentor(s), and copies of two publications, all as a single PDF format, to Mario Colon, administrative assistant, at [email protected] You should also have three letters of recommendation, including one from your Ph.D. advisor, sent under separate emails. The deadline for completed applications is 20 August, 2013.

E-mail questions to Brad Shaffer (Director of the La Kretz Center) at [email protected]