Postdoctoral Associate - Forest Bioenergy, Environmental & Health Co-benefits

Virginia Tech is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate for a research project on forest bioenergy and its environmental, health, and economic co-benefits in the Southern Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic regions. The role involves developing a spatial modeling framework to analyze renewable energy and forest management strategies. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field, strong analytical skills, and experience in data analysis and modeling. The position is based in Blacksburg, VA.
Job Description

The Postdoctoral Associate will work on a research project
examining the environmental, health, and economic co-benefits of
forest-based bioenergy and sustainable forest utilization in the
Southern Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic region. The position focuses
on developing and applying an integrated, spatially explicit
modeling framework that links forest resource utilization,
life-cycle emissions, air quality, public health outcomes, and
economic valuation to support policy-relevant analysis of renewable
energy and forest management strategies. The postdoctoral associate
will contribute to interdisciplinary data integration, modeling,
and peer-reviewed publication under the direction of the Principal
Investigator.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in environmental economics, resource economics, forestry,
environmental science, energy systems, public health, or a closely
related field. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to
the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year
eligibility remaining.

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, reproducible
research

• Experience with data analysis and modeling

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with life-cycle assessment, environmental modeling, or
sustainability analysis

• Familiarity with air-quality or health-impact assessment
approaches

• Programming experience in R, Python, MATLAB, or similar
tools

• Evidence of peer-reviewed publications or manuscripts in
preparation related to environmental, energy, or sustainability
research

Pay Band

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Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$55,000-$60,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

March 9, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal
conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),
Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a
hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be
leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution
that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the
world, Virginia Tech is an
inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and
creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse
enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and
professional students in eight
undergraduate colleges , a
school of medicine , a
veterinary medicine college,
Graduate School , and
Honors College . The university has a significant presence
across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C.
area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites
in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous
Extension offices and
research institutes . A leading global research institution,
Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research
annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional
development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable
contributions to university shared governance provide important
representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique
and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or
applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including
pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic
information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,
race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or
otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire
about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation
of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected
by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an
accommodation, please contact Angela Riegel at ariegel@vt.edu during regular business
hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.