Postdoc in Fish Ecology and Climate Change at UM-SEAS

In a warming climate, many but not all, species are shrinking. What controls variable influences of climate on freshwater fish growth? The Alofs lab seeks a postdoctoral researcher who will combine data from museum specimens and historical records to examine patterns of fish growth in lake fish communities over a century and across the state of Michigan.

The postdoctoral researcher will work with Dr. Karen Alofs and students and researchers in the School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS). More details on the lab can be found here: https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/alofs. The project will also involve collaboration with researchers at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ) and the Institute for Fisheries Research (IFR), which is a cooperative unit of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Division and the University of Michigan. Work will entail collecting age-at-length data from museum specimens and environmental data from historical survey records (including collecting scales and other aging structures, developing and evaluating aging techniques, data collection and QA/QC). The postdoc will then use these data to evaluate the impacts of climate change versus other factors on species growth and build trait-based models of species responses. In addition to research, the postdoc will mentor undergraduate and graduate students and develop outreach and education materials related to their work.

Position details

The position includes a salary of $52,000 per year and full benefits, including employee health insurance eligibility. The position will begin Sept 2022 (with some flexibility in start date). Appointment is for one year with renewal for a second-year possible following performance evaluation. This position cannot be performed remotely.

Qualifications

• PhD in ecology, environmental science, fisheries, natural resources, data science or related field is required

• A keen interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research and applied ecology

• Strong statistical and quantitative analysis background

• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication including lead authored papers

One or more of the following skills are desirable

• Experience working in museum collections

• Knowledge of fish aging techniques and fisheries growth models

• Expertise in R (highly desirable), OpenRefine, and Github

• Experience working with large datasets and integrating heterogeneous data

• Knowledge of species distribution modeling methods, Bayesian hierarchical models, and related literature

Application instructions

Applications are welcome and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. Applications should include a cover letter and 1-2 page research statement (detailing past research accomplishments and current research interests pertaining to the position), a curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for three professional references. Email a single PDF of the complete application to Dr. Alofs (kmalofs@umich.edu). Please include “Postdoctoral Position” in the subject line of your email. Application deadline is *Aug 5th (updated)* but applications will be reviewed as they are received. Please contact Dr. Alofs (kmalofs@umich.edu) with questions regarding this position.