University of Washington School of Marine & Environmental Affairs eDNA Postdoctoral Scholar

This position is funded to work on a new grant from the Office of Naval Research as part of the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) awards. The project, entitled “MMARINeDNA: Marine Mammal Remote detection via INnovative environmental DNA sampling,” aims to understand the transport, persistence, and distribution of environmental DNA (eDNA) in marine environments from marine mammal targets. The project team includes researchers from the University of Washington in both the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA) and School of Oceanography, as well as researchers at University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institute of Oceanography, NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, and NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, CA.

The postdoctoral fellow in this position will develop and analyze environmental DNA (eDNA) data, developing a statistical model to describe the fate and transport of marine mammal eDNA as a part of the larger MMARINeDNA project. The postdoc will work closely with oceanographers, integrating the molecular-biological (eDNA) information into an existing oceanographic model of the Puget Sound region’s waters, ultimately aiming to predict the origin and abundance of a point sources of observed eDNA. This position will mainly focus on the biology, with oceanography work being largely done by an oceanography postdoc also funded by the larger project. 

The position will entail planning and conducting short field-sampling campaigns, as well as processing quantitative PCR and other eDNA data, but the main focus will be statistical modeling of those resulting data over space and time. 

This is an on-campus, in-person position, and the successful candidate will work in Seattle at the University of Washington. The term is one year, renewable subject to performance and available funding; the larger MMARINeDNA project is funded for a five-year period.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 
• Statistical modeling of biological data over space and time. 
• Molecular laboratory work (DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, sequencing, and related). 
• Designing and carrying out some fieldwork to collect samples. 
• Preparing reports, papers, and presentations to effectively communicate results.

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.

REQUIREMENTS: 

• A PhD in Biology, Molecular Biology, Marine or Aquatic Science, Quantitative Ecology, Fisheries, or other related and quantitative fields is required.
• Very strong skills in statistical modeling 
• Fluency in R or similar computational computer languages. 
• Competence in core molecular biological techniques including PCR, qPCR, and related skills.
• At least some familiarity with oceanography. 
• Excellent organizational skills, the ability to work independently, demonstrated foresight and good judgment, the ability to carry out routine troubleshooting.
• Effective written and oral communication skills as demonstrated through experience communicating with varied audiences in different settings and in different ways (e.g., presenting at events, email correspondence, one-on-one in-person, etc.) are also required.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
• Knowledge of marine mammals.

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

Applicants with inquiries regarding this position should contact: Dr. Ryan Kelly (rpkelly@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.

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).

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information

Under Washington State Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers 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/.