Postdoctoral Scholar


Position Overview


School / Campus / College: College of the Environment

Organization: Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Title: Postdoctoral Scholar


Position Details


Position Description

The College of the Environment fosters existing and new collaborations between outstanding faculty, staff and students who are engaged in the study of: the solar system and Earth’s dynamic land, water and atmosphere; the development and application of environmental engineering and technological advances; and the impact of policy and human actions on the environment, and the management of natural resources.

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) is dedicated to sustaining healthy marine and freshwater environments. Our school comprises one of the largest and most diverse academic aquatic and fisheries sciences program in the United States. Our faculty conduct innovative research from the organism to the ecosystem scale, and are recognized leaders in aquatic biology, sustainable fisheries management, and aquatic resource conservation.

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences values the strengths and professional experience that students, faculty, and staff bring to our community. We are committed to providing excellent education to all of our students, regardless of their race, gender, class, nationality, physical ability, religion, age, or sexual orientation. We are proud of the different roles that our students, staff, and faculty play in the community of the School and in the College of the Environment. We recognize that science is richer and the SAFS community is more vibrant when a diverse group of people participate the SAFS community.

Climate change is causing rapid change in ecosystem function in many marine systems, impacting food security and sustainability.  Climate impacts result in changing abundance and productivity for key primary consumers: copepods and euphausiids.  Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) forecasts are available for these taxa in the eastern Bering Sea, but have not been extensively compared with thirty years of spring and fall field-sampling.  This project will link ROMS and field sampling via statistical validation and developing a species distribution model for secondary producers in the eastern Bering Sea, and thereby enable climate impacts forecast for these species. This postdoctoral researcher will work with a multi-disciplinary research team that includes UW and NOAA scientists with expertise in zooplankton ecology, ROMS modelling, and statistical analysis of ecological data.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Responsibilities include:

  • Validate ROMS secondary producer predictions against field sampled data
  • Develop a “hybrid” species distribution model for zooplankton that combines field data and ROMS predictions. 
  • Identify modes of ecosystem variability across trophic levels and ecosystem variables  Results would then be used in a national MAPP project involving all NMFS science centers, and involve time for independent and self-directed research.
  • Work collaboratively in a team setting and participate in group meetings.
  • Prepare results and lead writing efforts for peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

The base salary range for this position will between $5,459 and $7500 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. 

Qualifications

  • PhD or foreign equivalent in ecology, fisheries, statistics, and related fields; 
  • High level of proficiency with statistical analyses and R programming; 
  • Superior written and oral communication skills;
  • Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and collaborative setting;
  • C++ programming experience is desired.

 

Instructions

All applications should be submitted through Interfolio. Application packages should include the following:

  1. Cover letter outlining interest in the position and how it aligns with career goals
  2. CV
  3. Contact information (institution, email and phone number) for two professional references

Applicants with inquiries regarding this position should contact: Tim Essington at (essing@uw.edu).

Applicants requiring disability accommodations during the application process should contact Jackie Chapman (jachap@uw.edu). 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information

Under University of Washington (UW) Policy, University-compensated personnel must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement/.