Position length: Three year appointment upon annual reviews Application deadline: November 10, or until suitable candidate is found
Salary: $50,000 per year plus benefits
Annual budget: up to $25,000, with additional dedicated and opportunistic uses of Shedd’s 80-foot research vessel, Coral Reef II
Position summary:
The John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral research associate focusing on benthic marine invertebrate ecology in The Bahamas. Specifically, we are interested in a postdoctoral research associate who will be responsible for developing a robust research program focusing on Queen Conch (Strombus gigas). Preference will be given to proposals that focus on reproductive ecology, deep-water surveys, and/or testing the efficacy of mitigation strategies for improving recruitment. Research is expected to be multifaceted, inform resource managers, and advance conservation and sustainable practices. The selected associate is expected to work closely with the Bahamas National Trust and the non-government organization Community Conch to ensure the program is holistic and inclusive.
The associate is expected to use approaches that may include conducting research to determine the environmental requirements critical for the subject species and its habitats, and evaluating the efficacy of current species management efforts and analyzing how management may be adapted to better meet conservation objectives. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated an ability to partner with local stakeholders so that they have a greater role in studying, assessing, and managing resources. The associate is expected to work closely with management agencies such as the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources and the Bahamas National Trust. Research involvement with other Shedd departments (e.g. Animal Health, Fishes) is advantageous. The associate is also expected to participate in relevant workshops, present seminars at various venues, and to publish their data in a timely fashion.
Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in ecology, marine science, natural resource management, zoology, or related field. The position requires strong field research skills, database management and analyses, and ability to communicate at an academic and general-public level. Experience with grant acquisition, and publishing in peer-reviewed and general outlets is expected. Applicants must have a real interest in interdisciplinary applied science and have the ability to work independently and under limited supervision. SCUBA certification is required.
To apply: Please send a curriculum vitae, a letter describing your background, relevant research experience and proposed research ideas. Please also provide names and contact information for three references. The letter, CV, and reference information should be sent to Megan Huck (jobs@sheddaquarium.org). To discuss the specifics of this position contact Dr. Chuck Knapp (cknapp@sheddaquarium.org).
About Queen Conch:
The Queen Conch is a large herbivorous gastropod indigenous to the Caribbean region, second only to spiny lobster in economic importance for its meat and shell products. The species has been listed as threatened by CITES since 1985, and is currently under review for endangered species status by the US government. Fisheries for the species have been closed in many nations within its distribution because of population depletions, and recent surveys in The Bahamas (an exporting nation) have shown rapid declines in abundance. Evidence for overfishing includes changes in population density, age structure, mating and egg-laying frequencies, depth distributions, and catch per unit effort. Recent research activity in The Bahamas can be found at www.communityconch.org
Contact Information:
Please send a curriculum vitae, a letter describing your background, relevant research experience and proposed research ideas. Please also provide names and contact information for three references. The letter, CV, and reference information should be sent to Megan Huck (jobs@sheddaquarium.org). To discuss the specifics of this position contact Dr. Chuck Knapp (cknapp@sheddaquarium.org).