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Postdoctoral Position Behavioral Ecology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$61K/yr

... pollinator behavior. The person in this position will be in charge of setting up and overseeing ... Postdoctoral Position in Evolutionary Ecology". This position will be open until a suitable ...

Postdoctoral Scholar

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site

$69K - $107K/yr

... behavior in ionic liquids, solids, and the interfaces between them. The candidate will join a ... Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be ...

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Postdoctoral Position Behavioral Ecology information

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$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do postdoctoral position behavioral ecology jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral position behavioral ecology in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Behavioral Ecology, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Behavioral Ecology, you need a PhD in biology, ecology, or a related field, with a strong background in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific writing. Experience with statistical software (such as R), fieldwork technologies (like GPS tracking), and publishing peer-reviewed research is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration skills help you excel in multidisciplinary research teams and disseminate findings effectively. These competencies are crucial for conducting rigorous research, advancing scientific understanding, and building a successful academic career.

What are some typical challenges faced by postdocs in behavioral ecology, and how can these be addressed?

Postdoctoral researchers in behavioral ecology often encounter challenges such as balancing fieldwork with data analysis, managing large datasets, and adapting to the collaborative nature of multidisciplinary teams. Navigating grant writing and publishing pressures can also be demanding. Proactively seeking mentorship, participating in lab meetings, and developing strong project management skills are effective ways to overcome these hurdles and enhance your research impact.

What is a postdoctoral position in behavioral ecology?

A postdoctoral position in behavioral ecology is a temporary research role, typically held after obtaining a Ph.D., focused on studying the behavior of animals in relation to their environment and evolutionary processes. Postdocs in this field design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and publish findings to advance scientific understanding of animal behavior. These positions often involve collaboration with other researchers, mentoring students, and contributing to the development of new research projects. The goal is to gain further research experience and professional development before pursuing permanent academic or industry positions.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Position Behavioral Ecology vs Postdoctoral Position Conservation Biology?

AspectPostdoctoral Position Behavioral EcologyPostdoctoral Position Conservation Biology
Required CredentialsPh.D. in Ecology, Biology, or related field; research experience in animal behaviorPh.D. in Ecology, Biology, or related field; research experience in conservation methods
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, field sites studying animal behaviorResearch institutions, field sites focused on species preservation
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, ecology-focused organizationsEnvironmental agencies, NGOs, research institutes

While both roles require a Ph.D. and research experience in ecology-related fields, a Postdoctoral Position Behavioral Ecology focuses on studying animal behavior and ecological interactions, often in natural settings. In contrast, a Postdoctoral Position Conservation Biology emphasizes strategies for species preservation and ecosystem management. Both roles are vital in ecological research but differ in their primary focus and application.

Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Position Behavioral Ecology job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar Researcher Position in Evolutionary Ecology of Plant-Pollinator Interactions

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site, Remote

$61K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Penn State University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 99 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

149th of 532 rated colleges and universities


Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
A postdoctoral position is available in the López-Uribe lab (www.lopezuribelab.com) at The Pennsylvani State University to work on an NSF-funded project investigating the impacts of crop domestication on floral traits and pollinator behavior. The person in this position will be in charge of setting up and overseeing experiments in the greenhouse and field, as well as manipulating insects in enclosures. The postdoc is expected to complete the work and disseminate results via peer-reviewed publications within the timeframe of the position. There will also be opportunities to be involved in outreach and extension work transferring research outputs from this project to crop breeders and the general public.
The successful candidate will work on a variety of research activities including growing plants in the greenhouse, making pollinator observations, and quantifying floral traits (morphology, volatiles, pollen, nectar). Data analysis skills include knowledge of quantitative genetics, linear models, and multivariate statistics. The candidate should demonstrate a proven record of effectively working in teams and mentoring students. Abilities with bioinformatic analysis is desirable but not required.
Qualified candidates are required to have a Ph.D. in entomology, ecology, evolutionary biology, or related fields of study. The successful candidate must have completed all PhD degree requirements by the appointment date. The applicant must have strong quantitative skills and experience analyzing large datasets. A strong publication record and organizational and communication skills are also required. The person in this position will be involved in grant writing, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and outreach/extension activities. This position will be located at Penn State in University Park, PA (Penn State's main campus).
This is a full-time postdoctoral researcher position with an annual salary of $61,000. This is a term position funded for one year from date of hire with a good possibility of re-funding beyond the first year for up to an additional year contingent upon job performance. Interested applicants should submit the following documents:
(1) a brief statement (up to 2 pages) describing relevant previous research experience and interests in working in the lab and as part of this project. Please address point-by-point how your previous experience relates to the responsibilities detailed in the job description.
(2) curriculum vitae (include experience in both research and outreach/extension)
(3) contact information for three references willing to provide letters of recommendation.
Please send any questions regarding the position to Margarita López-Uribe (mml64@psu.edu) with the subject line: "Postdoctoral Position in Evolutionary Ecology". This position will be open until a suitable candidate is found in the applicant pool.
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