Postdoctoral Research Associate, Flathead Lake Bio-Station

Description

The Post Doctoral Research Associates will work under the supervision of FLBS Professors Matthew Church and Robert Hall to conduct research to improve understanding of primary productivity, material export, and nutrient cycling in the low nutrient, subtropical gyres of the open ocean. These positions are viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic or research careers. The appointees will be expected to publish the results of their research during the period of the appointment.

The appointees are expected to be both highly independent and collaborative, and they contribute substantially to the scope and design of components of the larger project. A key requirement is that the individuals have the ability to see intellectually and technically complex projects through to their conclusion, which will involve developing method approaches and reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting scientific data and results from the project. Great autonomy and ability to exhibit independent decision making is expected in designing and implementing strategies for achieving shared research goals.

One of the post-docs (supervised by Professor Robert Hall) will develop and use statistical models to improve understanding of processes controlling primary productivity and material and energy export from the upper ocean to the deep sea. The second post-doc (supervised by Professor Matthew Church) will use biogeochemical and molecular biological approaches to quantify particle flux and assess taxonomic contributions of plankton to productivity and export. Both post-docs will have opportunities to participate in research cruises to the North Pacific and South Atlantic subtropical gyres.

Both post-docs will be primarily based at Flathead Lake Bio Station, but will benefit from the opportunities to collaborate broadly as part of a Schmidt Sciences funded Ocean Biogeochemistry Virtual Institute (https://www.schmidtsciences.org/the-ocean-biogeochemistry-virtual-institute-obvi/). The position allows for multiple professional development opportunities, including training in highly interdisciplinary science, international collaborations across institutions, regular meetings with the entire project team, mentorship toward academic and non-academic career development, and interactions with graduate and undergraduate students. The appointees will write papers for publication based on research, compose projects reports and contribute to grant applications; present at seminars and national meetings; and participate in research group meetings that may include oral and written brief reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience of excellent research capabilities required to carry out innovative and insightful research
• Ability to identify, analyze and summarize relevant literature
• Ability to devise and articulate a research plan with defined goals, and design sound experimental strategies with appropriate controls
• Proven record and ability to produce research to a high publication standard
• Ability to learn and apply new skills appropriate to conduct necessary research
• Knowledge and experience in the field and laboratory environment
• Proven ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts (both orally and in writing) to scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Ability and willingness to undertake collaborative research
• Ability to supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students
• Ability to maintain a safe working and learning environment
• Ability to achieve project goals within time and budget
• PhD prior to starting position in oceanography, ecosystem ecology, earth, or environmental science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, complex systems science, or a related field

Additional Information

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

A complete application includes:

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
• Links to 1–2 recent first-authored publications

The Flathead Lake Biological Station is a field research and teaching facility designated as a Center of Excellence of the University of Montana. The mission of the Bio Station is to conduct basic and applied research in ecology with an emphasis on freshwater; provide field ecology courses for college students, K-12 teachers and natural resource professionals; train graduate students for professional or teaching careers; and provide scientific data, interpretation and outreach to help resolve environmental problems and inform public policy locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The faculty and staff also generate and maintain natural resource databases used by the public and resource management agencies in addition to supporting the research program at the Bio Station.