Description: Three postdoctoral positions and one PhD position are available in
the Pinsky Lab at Rutgers University to work on climate change ecology
and evolution in marine ecosystems. The positions represent an exciting
expansion of research efforts in this area. Broadly, research in the
Pinsky Lab uses empirical data, mathematical models, and population
genomics to study global change in the coastal ocean.
Key themes across all new positions include understanding the
ecological and evolutionary processes that determine how climate
variability and climate change filter through ocean communities to
affect human behavior and the success or failure of conservation
efforts. Postdocs and students will join an international network of
collaborators across conservation, marine science, climate science,
economics, sociology, and policy, including Josh Abbott (Arizona State
U.), Daniel Schindler and Andre Punt (U. Washington), Dan Holland and
Melissa Poe (NOAA), William Cheung and Daniel Pauly (U. British
Columbia), Jorge Sarmiento (Princeton), Carl Folke (Stockholm U.), and
Pat Halpin (Duke).
Three (3) postdoc positions are open:
1) Coupled Natural Human (CNH) systems postdoc: The postdoc will take
the lead on a research project investigating the causes and
consequences of ecological synchrony in the California Current large
marine ecosystem. Key questions include how portfolio effects emerge in
open systems and how oceanographic processes and fishing interact to
affect population dynamics. The postdoc will also be part of a broader
NSF-funded team studying coupled social-ecological dynamics and
feedbacks from physics to fish to people.
2) Nereus Fellow: As part of the Nereus Program
(
http://www.nereusprogram.org), the Fellow will design and lead
empirical research to understand the consequences of climate change and
shifting species distributions for human behavior and adaptation in
marine ecosystems. Resources for the research include large datasets of
fishing vessel behavior over decadal time-scales, as well as other
datasets on environmental changes and ecological states.
3) Eco-evolutionary dynamics postdoc: The postdoc will develop models
and theory to understand the extent to which ecological turnover and
evolutionary rescue could preserve coral reef function over the coming
centuries, and whether conservation efforts can facilititate the
adaptation process at the landscape scale. Application of the theory to
case studies in three geographies will also be part of the research.
All postdoc positions are two years.
One (1) graduate assistant position is open, preferably for a Ph.D. degree:
1) CNH Graduate Assistant: The GA will use statistical and
process-based models to understand the mechanisms linking climate
variability to marine animal population dynamics in the California
Current large marine ecosystem, including recruitment and distribution.
The GA will also be part of a broader NSF-funded team studying coupled
social-ecological dynamics and feedbacks from physics to fish to people.
Across all positions, the ideal candidates will be skilled with data
analysis, statistics, and ecological modeling (or a strong aptitude for
learning these skills, in the case of the GA). Applicants with evidence
of creativity, productivity, strong oral and written communication
abilities, and enthusiasm are especially encouraged to apply,
particularly those that bring a new perspective, new ideas, or a new
skillset to the team. For postdoctoral applications, a promising record
of publication is highly valued. The successful applicants will be
independent, motivated problem solvers who communicate well and enjoy
working in a collaborative setting.
The positions will be based at Rutgers with extensive opportunities
for research visits across campuses, including U. Washington, U. British
Columbia, and NOAA offices. Additional opportunities are available to
interact with scientists at the Institute of Earth, Ocean, and
Atmospheric Sciences; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab; the Princeton
Environmental Institute; the Center for Discrete Mathematics and
Theoretical Computer Science; and beyond.
**Application process**
The postdoc start dates are flexible and the positions are open until
filled. The GA will begin in summer or fall 2017. Review of postdoc
applications will begin on October 1, 2016 and will continue on a
rolling basis. Review of GA applications will continue until December
2016, when applications to Rutgers graduate programs are due.
Interested postdoc candidates should submit: 1) a one-page cover
letter that describes which position(s) they are applying for (and
preferred position if applying to more than one) and their preferred
start date, 2) a two-page research statement describing their relevant
background and anticipated research approach to the problem they would
be addressing, 3) a CV, and 4) the names and contact information of
three other scientists familiar with their work.
Please submit all materials to
malin.pinsky@rutgers.edu with “Postdoc
application 2016” or “Graduate application 2016” as the subject.
Malin Pinsky
Assistant Professor
Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources
Institute of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
USA
