Post-Doctoral Research Opportunity – Aquatic Ecology; Biodiesel Project

A post-doctoral research position is in aquatic ecology. The researcher will be involved in a national $44 million effort to produce biodiesel. Collaboration with other biologists and engineers from NMSU and potentially out-of-state as well as supervision of undergraduate and graduate students is expected. This project will:
1. Observe the aquatic community and population dynamics in the New Mexico production system: Organisms include the desired Nannochloropsis strain as well as invaders like competitors (other algae like diatoms), predators (ciliates, rotifers) and pathogens (bacteria, viruses).
2. Make the observing process more efficient: Methods may include but will not be limited to manual counts, spectrophotometry, turbidity measures, flowcytometry and image processing software.
3. Study environmental conditions (pH, salinity, nutrients, temperature) that enhance lipid accumulation in Nannochloropsis while limiting undesired organisms (predators, competitors, disease). This will be a series of laboratory and/or field experiments.
Travel to scientific meetings is encouraged and will be funded. Application deadline is March 31 and starting date is between May 1 – August 15, 2010. Compensation for this position is around $36,000 plus benefits (cost of living in New Mexico is low). For further information or to submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, transcript and contact information of three potential references contact:

Dr. Wiebke Boeing
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology
New Mexico State University
2980, South Espina; 132, Knox Hall
Las Cruces, NM, 88003-0003
wboeing@nmsu.edu
(575) 646-1707

RESEARCH SCIENTIST – SEA ICE MODELLING

Research Scientist – Sea ice modelling

• CSIRO is Australia’s premier scientific research and technology organisation

• We have excellent career development opportunities & professional support

• We also offer flexible working arrangements and enhanced leave entitlements

CSIRO (the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and Australian universities are jointly developing an earth system model (ACCESS), incorporating atmosphere, ocean, sea ice and land-surface components. An exciting opportunity exists for a qualified Research Scientist to join the team developing this model for successful performance of century-scale climate simulations including participation in international model benchmarking projects. You will work on the sea ice component as a part of the coupled system. Analysis and publication of the model improvements and of the resulting improved climate simulations will be expected. This role will involve collaboration with colleagues in the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Universities in Australia, the UK Met Office and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• a PhD (or equivalent) in any of atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, earth system science, mathematical modelling;

• significant experience in the use and development of large scale sea ice models;

• demonstrated high proficiency in Fortran 90 (preferred) or another computer programming language;

• demonstrated ability to work as part of a team in solving scientific problems, achieving joint goals.

In return you will be rewarded with working with a leading government organisation which is engaged in world class scientific research projects, career development and professional support.

Find out more! Visit our website at CSIRO Careers (http://www.csiro.au/people/Careers.html) choose “Positions Vacant” and insert Reference Number 2010/71 where indicated (https://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/Job_Details.asp?RefNo=2010%2F71).

Applications close 22 March 2010

Two Postdoctoral Positions: HABS and Coastal Biophysical Modeling

The PNWTOX project, jointly funded by NOAA and NSF, aims to determine the dynamics that link Oregon and Washington beaches subject to harmful algae blooms (HABs) with the offshore incubation regions where HABs originate. We are looking for two Postdoctoral Research Associates to participate in the development of numerical and statistical models that predict the comparative success of HAB species along the complex, highly variable transport pathways that link the Juan de Fuca Eddy and Heceta Bank, via waters influenced by the Columbia River plume, with coastal beaches. Postdoc projects will likely include development of biogeochemical and individual-based models, implementation in existing circulation models, formulation of biological hypotheses via multivariate analysis, and validation of the models using rich biological datasets.

A Ph.D. in Oceanography or an allied field is required. One postdoc will join the UW School of Oceanography to work primarily with Dr. Evelyn Lessard; a background in multivariate statistics and phytoplankton population ecology is preferred for this position. The other postdoc will join the UW Applied Physics Lab to work primarily with Dr. Neil Banas; both biological and physical oceanographers with strong quantitative skills and interest in cross-disciplinary problems will be considered. Both postdocs should be interested in collaborating broadly within a highly interdisciplinary research team.

Each full-time position is for one year with the possibility of renewal for a second year given satisfactory performance. Applicants should send a cover letter describing research interests and experience, a current CV, and the names of three references to either Evelyn Lessard (elessard@uw.edu) or Neil Banas (neil@apl.washington.edu). Applicants to either position will be automatically considered for the other. Review of applicants will begin April 1, with an anticipated start date of summer or fall, 2010. For questions, please contact either PI.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. The University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and covered veterans. University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research and service.

Postdoctoral Researcher: Quantitative Ecologist/Fisheries Scientist

Postdoctoral Researcher: Quantitative Ecologist/Fisheries Scientist
Marine Science Institute and Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California Santa Barbara

Qualifications: We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in quantitative ecology and/or fishery science, with experience modeling open ocean ecosystems, ideally fisheries for pelagic species. A PhD is required and the degree must have been conferred within the last five years. Strong programming and mathematical skills are required. Proficiency in Matlab, R, or equivalent is required. Some knowledge of Spanish strongly preferred. Candidate must be able to work both independently and in a collaborative setting.

Job Description: Start date is as soon as possible, but no later than August 1, 2010. The postdoctoral researcher will work with the Sustainable Fisheries Group at University of California, Santa Barbara (http://sfg.msi.ucsb.edu), under the direction of Steven Gaines and Christopher Costello, as the lead researcher on a project modeling the anchoveta fishery in Peru. The project will require short trips and extended stays in Lima, although the researcher will be based at UCSB. The researcher will be responsible for developing a bioeconomic model that evaluates both economic and conservation outcomes of different fishing policies for Peruvian anchovy, helping to inform anchoveta fishery management and the management of fisheries for small pelagics more generally. Model development and analysis will include: 1) significant attention to parameterization using the best available data, 2) development of an economic component of the model, and 3) evaluating the performance of different management strategies within a variable environment. The researcher will be responsible for compiling results for applied purposes, but the questions will be relevant to fisheries around the globe, and the researcher will be expected to prepare results for (potentially high impact) peer reviewed journals.

Salary and Benefits: 100% time appointment for one year from start date, with strong possibility for additional year(s) of funding contingent upon performance. Salary is $48,000 a year plus benefits.

The Marine Science Institute is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service. The University of California is an equal opportunity employer.

To apply: Please send your letter of interest, CV, and contact information for three references to Sarah Lester at lester@msi.ucsb.edu.The position will remain open until filled, but application review will commence on March 15, 2010.

Post-doctoral scientist in zooplankton ecology

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory, Cambridge, MD, is seeking a post-doctoral scientist to work with Dr. James Pierson and Dr. Michael Roman on two federally funded projects exploring the effects of hypoxia on living marine resources. Specifically, these projects focus on the relationship between zooplankton and hypoxia, and involve both the analysis of existing data from the Gulf of Mexico, and a field project working with a team of scientists in the Chesapeake Bay. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in oceanography, fisheries, or related fields with experience in interdisciplinary research and an interest in ecology and ecosystem science. Candidates with field research experience and a strong background in quantitative analysis, numerical modeling, and ecosystem science are encouraged to apply. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Position begins after March, 2010. The initial appointment is for 1-year with re-appointments of up to 2 subsequent years possible, contingent on performance. For more information about Horn Point Laboratory and the project principle investigators please see these websites: http://www.hpl.umces.edu or http://www.hpl.umces.edu/~jpierson. If interested, please provide a cover letter describing your research interests and experience, a current curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references to Dr. Jamie Pierson by e-mail (jpierson@hpl.umces.edu). For more information please feel free to contact Dr. Pierson. Applications will be reviewed until position is filled. The University of Maryland is an equal opportunity/ affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

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