About the Fellowship

The UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science invites applications for its 2026 Postdoctoral Fellowship in California Conservation Science. We seek to hire one or more postdoctoral scholars who conduct innovative biological research at the interface of applied and basic science. Our long‐term goal is to help fund a cadre of innovative young scientists who will work closely with UCLA faculty, broaden the mission of conservation science for the campus, and foster long‐term collaborations between our academic scientists and applied conservation practitioners that will drive California conservation efforts.

Candidates may work in any discipline that provides the scientific underpinnings for the preservation, protection, management, or restoration of at‐risk species, environments, or ecological communities in California. Research topics have included urban biodiversity and evolutionary adaptation, wildfire management and conservation, and the interface of conservation and animal behavior. In addition, candidates may build on initiatives like the California Conservation Genomics Project to advance conservation genomics. Projects should be innovative, creative, and have practical significance.

Fellows must secure an on-campus UCLA mentor (who is a La Kretz Center affiliate) and an off-campus non-university mentor from a California agency or NGO. The selected fellow will work collaboratively with these mentors, and applications must include a letter of support from each. In addition, applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, a one-page Research and Management Accomplishments Statement, a project proposal (up to three pages), and two relevant publications. Two letters of reference are also required; one must be from the Ph.D. advisor.

The fellowship is for two years, subject to review after the first year, with a target start date of September 2026 (flexible). The position offers a competitive salary, full benefits, and a research/travel allowance of $7500. Applicants who have recently completed their Ph.D. or will have completed it before the start date are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: September 15th, 2025 at 5pm (PST).

For questions, please contact Brad Shaffer, Director of the La Kretz Center, at brad.shaffer@ucla.edu.