Postdoctoral Scholar - Statistical Modeling, NWFSC eDNA & Survey Data

Description

Job Description

Researchers at the University of Washington and collaborators at the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) in Seattle seek a post-doctoral researcher to help with the development and/or application of statistical methods for using environmental DNA (eDNA) data for quantitative conservation and fisheries applications.

The PIs have access to a large number of eDNA samples collected from nearshore open ocean habitats along the US west coast that are relevant to a wide range of both fish and marine mammal species and are seeking a researcher interested in using these samples to understand the distribution and abundance of marine resources.

Past research has focused on applying eDNA data to inform management-relevant questions. Examples include, estimating abundance of salmon and Pacific hake from eDNA using qPCR approaches (e.g. Shelton et al. 2019, 2022a), the structure of nearshore marine communities from metabarcoding (e.g. O’Donnell et al. 2017, Kelly et al. 2017), and advancing the development of eDNA metabarcoding methods for ecological assessment (Kelly et al. 2019, Shelton et al. 2023).

We are interested in a researcher that will extend any of these projects or develop new areas of potential application with eDNA data. Particular areas of interest are: 1) using eDNA to understand trophic relationships (e.g. distribution and abundance of predators and prey such as hake and krill or whales and forage fish); 2) using eDNA to understand the composition and distribution of bycatch in the ocean; 3) the development of statistical methods to combine information from eDNA with more traditional survey data (e.g. net-based or acoustic surveys).

Responsibilities

This Postdoctoral Scholar position will focus primarily on modeling and analysis, not the generation of new eDNA data. We encourage researchers with quantitative background in ecology, fisheries, eDNA, or conservation biology to apply. We expect candidates to contribute to our team through the collaboration and consultation with other researchers. No prior experience with eDNA data is required, though basic familiarity with the practical aspects of eDNA data production would be helpful.

• Collaborate with scientists at UW, NOAA, and elsewhere to develop novel projects to use eDNA to understand marine ecological dynamics relevant to fisheries. Examples may – but need not necessarily – include mapping trophic relationships in the marine environment or analyzing the composition and distribution of bycatch in the ocean. Duties may include data management and analysis. (40%)
• Develop statistical methods to combine information from eDNA with more traditional survey data. (40%)
• Write and otherwise communicate results to interested audiences via publications and presentations. (20%)

The base salary range for this position will be $6,500 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. 

This position is a full time, 100% FTE position. This is an off-campus, in-person position; the successful candidate will work in Seattle at NWFSC. The post-doc will be supervised by Dr. Ryan Kelly (University of Washington) and will primarily collaborate with Dr. A. Ole Shelton, Dr. Krista Nichols, and Dr. Kim Parsons (all at NWFSC, NOAA).

The anticipated start date for this position is March 1, 2025. The initial appointment period is 12 months, but likely extendable, funding permitting. University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five year/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience.

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.

Please contact ole.shelton@noaa.gov or rpkelly@uw.edu for more information about this position.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Ecology, Fisheries Science, Quantitative Ecology, Applied Statistics or other related field at time of appointment
• Proficiency in R, Python, or equivalent programming language
• 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.)

Desired Requirements

• Knowledge of, or experience with Stan or related probabilistic programming languages, GitHub for project collaboration, using Markdown or other software to support reproducible workflows.

Application Instructions

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit your electronic application package via Interfolio containing: 

1. A cover letter

2. A current Curriculum Vitae with dates of education, appointments, experience, and publication list

3. Three professional references

In addition to your submission through Interfolio, please also send a copy of your application directly to Ryan Kelly (rpkelly@uw.edu) and Kate Bertko (bertko@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).

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Disability Services

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