Postdoctoral Research Associate - Natural Resource Analysis Center - School of Natural Resources and the Environment

The School of Natural Resources and the Environment in the Land Use, Sustainability, and Spatial Analysis at West Virginia University (WVU) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate.

The Natural Resource Analysis Center (NRAC) at West Virginia University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support interdisciplinary research focused on land-use change, sustainable agriculture, land management, spatial analysis, regional development, and environmental sustainability. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with NRAC faculty, staff, graduate students, government agencies, and external partners to advance research addressing natural resource challenges in West Virginia, the Appalachian region, and beyond.

This position is designed to leverage expertise in land-use science, land economics, agricultural sustainability, environmental policy, and geospatial analysis. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will contribute to ongoing projects involving land-use and land-cover change, rural development, farmland conservation, carbon sequestration and emissions, land governance, natural resource planning, and sustainability assessment. The position will also assist in developing externally funded research proposals and publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct interdisciplinary research related to land-use change, agricultural sustainability, natural resource management, and regional development.
• Apply GIS, spatial analysis, and statistical methods to evaluate environmental and socioeconomic drivers of landscape change.
• Assist in developing externally funded research proposals to federal agencies, foundations, and other funding organizations.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate with NRAC faculty and external partners on applied natural resource projects.
• Develop and manage large spatial, environmental, and socioeconomic datasets.
• Support research initiatives related to land conservation, farmland abandonment, carbon management, rural revitalization, and sustainable development.
• Assist with outreach and engagement activities involving state and federal agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students engaged in research projects.
• Participate in interdisciplinary research teams across WVU and collaborating institutions.

• A Ph.D. in Land Management, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Science, Regional Planning, Sustainability Science, or a closely related field is required.
• In addition, the successful applicant must have:
  • Demonstrated research experience in land-use and land-cover change, land management, agricultural sustainability, resource economics, or related areas.
  • Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
  • Experience with GIS and spatial analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, R, Python).
  • Record of peer-reviewed publications.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary research teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting spatial analyses of environmental and socioeconomic systems.
• Expertise in land economics, land governance, cadastral systems, policy analysis, or regional development.
• Experience working with large geospatial and survey datasets.
• Knowledge of sustainability assessment, carbon accounting, or agricultural resource management.
• Experience securing or supporting externally funded research projects.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor students and collaborate across disciplines.
• International research experience or collaborative research networks.

Research Areas of Interest

• Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are especially encouraged to apply:
  • Land-use and land-cover change modeling
  • Agricultural sustainability
  • Farmland abandonment and preservation
  • Land economics and land policy
  • Natural resource planning
  • Carbon emissions and climate mitigation
  • Regional economic development
  • Land governance and cadastral systems
  • Sustainable rural development
  • GIS and spatial decision support systems

Opportunities

• The Postdoctoral Research Associate will have opportunities to:
  • Publish collaboratively with NRAC faculty.
  • Develop independent research initiatives aligned with NRAC priorities.
  • Build interdisciplinary collaborations across WVU.
  • Mentor graduate students and contribute to workforce development.
  • Participate in proposal development and grant-funded projects.
  • Engage with state, federal, and international research partners.
  • Contribute to research supporting natural resource management and sustainability in Appalachia.

The successful candidate may be permitted to begin employment prior to degree confirmation with a letter certifying the trainee has completed all degree requirements from their university.

Application Instructions

To apply, please visit https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities. Upload the following: 1) Cover letter describing research interests and qualifications. 2) Curriculum vitae. 3) Statement of research accomplishments and future research goals.4) Contact information for three professional references; and 5) Representative publications or writing samples.

The screening process will begin immediately and continue through December 31, 2026. For further information, please contact Michael Strager at mstrager@mail.wvu.edu.

About NRAC

The Natural Resource Analysis Center at West Virginia University conducts applied and interdisciplinary research addressing natural resource conservation, land use, environmental planning, sustainability, geospatial analysis, and resource management. The Center works closely with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, industry partners, and communities to provide science-based solutions to natural resource challenges throughout West Virginia and beyond.

About Morgantown

Morgantown, WV is a growing university city. The area offers abundant outdoor recreation and the cultural opportunities of a college town. It is within easy driving distance of Pittsburgh, PA (70 mi) and is within a day's driving distance to Washington DC and Columbus, OH (200 mi).

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.