Job Details

Please apply directly on the RCUH website to be considered for the position.

HCSU POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ANALYST (PLANT TRANSLOCATION) – ID# 226320.

CLOSING DATE: June 30, 2026, or until filled. Job postings are removed from the RCUH Job Openings site once the recruitment process has ended. INQUIRIES:  Lori Bufil 808-932-7977 (Hawai‘i). 

Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Hawai`i Cooperative Studies Unit (HCSU) at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo (UHH) in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (USGS PIERC). Work location is in the USGS PIERC office in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawai‘i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws. 

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE:  $5,833 - $6,250/Mon. 

DUTIES:  We are hiring a postdoc to help develop the analytical backbone of an applied conservation research effort focused on Hawaiʻi's rarest plant species. Rare plant managers across the state are watching the landscape shift beneath their feet as climate, fire, and invasive pressures intensify, and they need better tools to understand where they can focus outplanting, one of the primary conservation actions at their disposal. We are looking for someone to help develop and refine species distribution models, build outplanting performance models that link survival data to environmental conditions, and work with messy, real-world monitoring datasets from across the state's rare plant conservation network. The work spans everything from machine learning and climate perturbation analysis to building R Shiny tools that put results directly in the hands of conservation managers making planting decisions. This position will work with rare plant experts, field practitioners, and data managers across multiple islands and institutions, to collectively shape the priorities for climate-resilient outplanting efforts to safeguard multiple endangered/threatened plants. We're looking for someone with strong R and spatial modeling skills, experience wrangling heterogeneous ecological data, and expertise in using AI tools as part of their daily workflow. PhD required. See the full position description for details and application instructions below.  Works with the Pacific Islands Ecological Research Center (PIERC) project leader and multi-agency team to develop and apply species distribution models (SDMs) using machine learning and statistical methods to predict habitat suitability for rare Hawaiian plant species under historical, current, and perturbed climate conditions. Builds out-planting performance models linking survival and vigor data from field monitoring programs to environmental covariates at planting sites. Conducts climate sensitivity and perturbation analyses to distinguish climate-resilient sites from climate-vulnerable one. Integrates and harmonizes out-planting monitoring data from multiple partner organizations (USFWS, PEPP, ANRPO, PTA, NPS) that vary in structure, completeness, and quality. Works with partner database and data managers to compile, clean, and standardize datasets for analysis. Collaborates with PEPP coordinators and field practitioners to incorporate expert knowledge into modeling workflows, including expert-sources performance categories and practitioner-selected reference sites for microhabitat matching. Produces spatial data products, maps, and interactive tools (e.g., R Shiny applications, web maps) to communicate model outputs to conservation managers. Contributes to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations summarizing analytical methods and results. Assists with preparing all research products for the USGS policy and quality reviews, such as Fundamental Science Practices (FSP). Uses AI-assisted tools (large language models, AI coding assistants, and related technologies) as a regular part of the analytical workflow to accelerate code development, support statistical reasoning, improve writing quality, and maintain high productivity across all project tasks. 

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: 

EDUCATION

PhD from an accredited college or university in Ecology, Geography, Conservation Biology, Statistics, Data Science, or other related field.

EXPERIENCE

One to three (1-3) years of experience working with R for ecological or geospatial analysis. Includes at least one (1) year of experience in each of the following: building, training, and evaluating species distribution models or comparable spatial ecological models; working with geospatial data including raster and vector processing; and using version control (e.g., Git/GitHub) for reproducible research. Demonstrated experience using AI-assisted tools (e.g., large language models, AI coding assistants) to support analysis, coding, or scientific writing.

KNOWLEDGE

Strong foundation in quantitative ecology, applied statistics, and spatial modeling. Knowledge of species distribution modeling methods, including machine learning approaches (e.g., MaxEnt, random forests, boosted regression trees) and their assumption limitations. Knowledge of geospatial analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) concepts. Familiarity with climate data products (historical baselines, downscaled projections) and their use in ecological models. Comfort working with incomplete and heterogeneous ecological datasets. Thorough familiarity with personal computers and relevant statistical, geospatial, and data management software.

ABILITIES & SKILLS

Ability to develop and implement complex spatial models in R. Ability to comprehend complex ecological problems and interpret the results with scientific rigor. Ability to work across institutional boundaries and communicate effectively with both quantitative researchers and field-based conservation partners. Ability to problem solve, and skilled with heterogenous and incomplete ecological datasets, and the ability to adapt analytical approaches as data availability evolves. Ability to prepare technical reports as well as scientific manuscripts with good grammar and proficiency for peer-review and eventual publication. Demonstrated excelled oral and written communication skills. Ability to work independently to manage, analyze, and interpret written reports and data. High degree of attention to detail and high level of organization. Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team. Ability to learn and adopt new tools and methods, including AI-assisted workflows, as they become available. Post Offer/Employment Condition: Applicants selected must be a US citizen and must be able to meet security requirements for working in a Federal facility, which includes being fingerprinted and having a Federal background check performed within one (1) month from date of hire. Must be able to complete the UH Information Security Awareness Training (ISAT) within two (2) weeks from the date of hire and re-certify annually. Must be able to complete the UH Title IX training within 30 days from date of hire and re-certify annually. Must be able to complete the Workplace Violence Prevention training within 30 days from date of hire and re-certify annually.

POLICY/REGULATORY REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies, procedures, and trainings and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawai‘i's and/or business entity's policies, procedures, and trainings.   Violation of RCUH's, UH's, or business entity's policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.). 

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:   

Experience with plant translocation, reintroduction, or out-planting ecology. Familiarity with Hawaiian ecosystems, Pacific Island conservation challenges, or rare plant management.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to https://www.rcuh.com/opportunities/job-openings/. You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) List of Professional References, 4) Copy of Degree(s)/Unofficial or Official Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, please send additional documents to rcuh_recruitment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-7262 or (808)956-0872. Please visit https://www.rcuh.com/policies-forms-documents/benefits-at-a-glance.pdf for more information on RCUH`s Benefits for eligible employees.

RCUH`s mission is to support and enhance research, development and training in Hawai‘i, with a focus on the University of Hawai‘i. 

RCUH is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, reproductive health decision, citizenship, gender identity or expression, domestic or sexual violence victim status, military/veteran status, or other grounds protected under applicable federal and state laws, except as permitted by law.