Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing, top-ranked, independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals, organizations, corporations, communities, and nations understand the realities of climate change, recognize the impact on our planet, and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

SUMMARY

Woodwell Climate seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead fire spread modeling as part of a large multi-institutional project focused on the potential for fire management to protect carbon and permafrost in Alaska and Canada. The selected candidate will lead the development and application of a landscape fire spread model in order to understand how various management interventions influence fire behavior, burned area, and long-term carbon and permafrost dynamics at focal geographies in Alaska and the Northwest Territories, Canada. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with scientists involved in the Permafrost Pathways project at Woodwell and project partners in Alaska and Canada.

Responsibilities:

• Survey available stochastic, physics-informed, and AI-based fire spread models

  Develop (as needed), parameterize, and apply a fire spread model to focal geographies in Interior Alaska and the Northwest Territories, Canada

  Work with the Permafrost Pathways modeling team to couple the landscape fire spread model to a process-based ecosystem model

  Collaborate with project staff and partners on stakeholder and rightsholder engagement to co-develop modeling scenarios

  Conduct and analyze model simulations

  Collaborate with project partners to estimate carbon cost-effectiveness metrics based on model simulations

  Participate in the Google.org AI Collaborative on Wildfires and other multi-institutional collaborative opportunities

  Independently execute a variety of complex research procedures

  Schedule own work and lead implementation

  Lead manuscript preparation and publication

  Present results at relevant meetings, convenings and conferences

Must have the Following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of wildfires, arctic-boreal ecosystems, carbon cycling, and fire management

  Experience developing and/or applying landscape fire spread models

  Demonstrated ability to develop and apply research techniques to complex problems

  Ability to work independently as well as a member of a highly collaborative team

  Ability to work across disciplines and engage with right shareholders and stakeholders outside the academic community

  Demonstrated record of publication in scientific journals

  Excellent written and oral communication skills

  Ability to travel up to 10% annually

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. (granted or expected soon) in Environmental Sciences, Earth System Science, Ecology, Geography, or a related discipline

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors.

Hours of Work:

• This role is paid on a salary basis.

  Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However, this is a salaried position. Therefore, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position.

Application review will begin on June 15, 2026

Desired Start Date: August 2026

Fixed-term: 2 years

Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range starting at $71k + dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location: Falmouth, Massachusetts, hybrid or remote.

Application Instructions: To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole, the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private, non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100+ staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.