Postdoctoral or Postmasters researcher position: Aquatic biodiversity
Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (MA Coop Unit)
Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Application Deadline: 29 Oct 2023 by 11:59 pm
Position start date: Sometime between 01 December 2023 and 01 January 2024
Position duration: 6–8 months
Position location: Remote or at University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass)
Project Overview
Rivers and streams provide both habitat and migration corridors to a myriad of species, including plants, fishes, amphibians, birds, mammals, and insects. Beginning in 2003, states in the Northeast started integrating ecological principles in management plans to protect imperiled species and aquatic biodiversity. More recently, states have started considering the impacts of climate change and the role of habitat heterogeneity in an effort to promote biodiversity in the face of a changing climate. However, none of these frameworks define biodiversity metrics, incorporate climate change specifically, nor evaluate alternate management scenarios. Therefore, the DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) has funded a project that will incorporate CASC products on climate change and ecosystem responses, along with state data on aquatic biota (e.g., fishes, freshwater mussels, macroinvertebrates), to evaluate protection and restoration options in an effort to protect aquatic biota under future climate scenarios (project page here [https://tinyurl.com/Aquatic-Bio-Project]). We recently received additional funding to expand the CASC project with a focus on identifying environmental drivers and projected impacts of climate change on freshwater mussels.
This work is a collaboration among the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit (MA Coop Unit), DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services, New Hampshire Department of Fish and Wildlife, Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
Position Description
We are recruiting a postdoctoral or postmasters researcher who will synthesize results and lead the writing of two papers related to evaluating aquatic biodiversity protection scenarios across four northeastern states.
The successful candidate will work closely at the beginning of their appointment (1–2 months) with the current postdoctoral researcher that used multiple biodiversity metrics to identify areas with high biodiversity in order to capture its multidimensionality AND used statistical model to identify abiotic variables that influence aquatic biodiversity (e.g., streamflow, surficial geology, temperature, and land cover). The current postdoctoral research is also working on projecting future aquatic biodiversity based on climate change projections and proposed management scenarios.
We are hoping that the successful candidate can begin this position sometime between Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024 so that they can overlap with the current postdoc and be brought up to speed on what analyses were done and how to access the materials. The successful candidate would lead/complete the writing of 2 papers, lead or assist with data and software releases, and create a public facing webpage (for full list of job duties see “Duties” section below).
We highly encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Remote work is okay for this position. UMass is a top-ranked public university located in western MA. The area offers a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers, with many great outdoor recreational opportunities.
Eligibility
Salary/Benefits
The researcher will be provided:
Duties
The researcher will be expected to:
To apply, please send the following materials in a single PDF with the following document name “YOUR LAST NAME-Aquatic Bio app- 2023.pdf” in an email with the subject “Aquatic Biodiversity application” to Dr. Graziella DiRenzo at [email protected] :
a. A cover letter (see instructions below)
b. A curriculum vitae or resume;
c. The contact information (name, position, relationship to applicant, email, and phone number) for three references;
Application deadline is 29 Oct 2023 by 11:59 pm.
The cover letter should be 1–2 pages describing:
Please send any questions to Dr. Graziella DiRenzo ([email protected]) or Dr. Allison Roy ([email protected]).
Leadership Team
Graziella DiRenzo – U.S. Geological Survey, MA Coop Unit
Allison Roy – U.S. Geological Survey, MA Coop Unit
Rebecca Quiñones, Jason Stolarski, Jason Carmignani, Todd Richards – MassWildlife
Nondiscriminatory AA/EEO statement
The University of Massachusetts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates.
Position start date: Sometime between 01 December 2023 and 01 January 2024
Position duration: 6–8 months
Position location: Remote or at University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass)
Project Overview
Rivers and streams provide both habitat and migration corridors to a myriad of species, including plants, fishes, amphibians, birds, mammals, and insects. Beginning in 2003, states in the Northeast started integrating ecological principles in management plans to protect imperiled species and aquatic biodiversity. More recently, states have started considering the impacts of climate change and the role of habitat heterogeneity in an effort to promote biodiversity in the face of a changing climate. However, none of these frameworks define biodiversity metrics, incorporate climate change specifically, nor evaluate alternate management scenarios. Therefore, the DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) has funded a project that will incorporate CASC products on climate change and ecosystem responses, along with state data on aquatic biota (e.g., fishes, freshwater mussels, macroinvertebrates), to evaluate protection and restoration options in an effort to protect aquatic biota under future climate scenarios (project page here [https://tinyurl.com/Aquatic-Bio-Project]). We recently received additional funding to expand the CASC project with a focus on identifying environmental drivers and projected impacts of climate change on freshwater mussels.
This work is a collaboration among the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit (MA Coop Unit), DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services, New Hampshire Department of Fish and Wildlife, Connecticut Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.
Position Description
We are recruiting a postdoctoral or postmasters researcher who will synthesize results and lead the writing of two papers related to evaluating aquatic biodiversity protection scenarios across four northeastern states.
The successful candidate will work closely at the beginning of their appointment (1–2 months) with the current postdoctoral researcher that used multiple biodiversity metrics to identify areas with high biodiversity in order to capture its multidimensionality AND used statistical model to identify abiotic variables that influence aquatic biodiversity (e.g., streamflow, surficial geology, temperature, and land cover). The current postdoctoral research is also working on projecting future aquatic biodiversity based on climate change projections and proposed management scenarios.
We are hoping that the successful candidate can begin this position sometime between Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024 so that they can overlap with the current postdoc and be brought up to speed on what analyses were done and how to access the materials. The successful candidate would lead/complete the writing of 2 papers, lead or assist with data and software releases, and create a public facing webpage (for full list of job duties see “Duties” section below).
We highly encourage people from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Remote work is okay for this position. UMass is a top-ranked public university located in western MA. The area offers a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers, with many great outdoor recreational opportunities.
Eligibility
- MS or PhD in ecology, biology, fisheries, mathematics, or other related field
Salary/Benefits
The researcher will be provided:
- A monthly salary of $4,000–$5,000 per month (depending on experience/level) for 6–8 months, plus benefits
- A supportive network of professionals who encourage work-life holism, promote mental health well-being, and foster development towards career goals
- Professional development experiences relevant to a career with federal and state agencies
- Mentoring, encouragement, and autonomy that promotes an understanding of how diverse perspectives are vital to achieving project goals
Duties
The researcher will be expected to:
- Work with the current postdoc on the project to understand how they:
- Gathered and standardized data on aquatic biota (fishes, freshwater mussels)
- Calculated biodiversity metrics and created maps
- Identified abiotic variables to include in predicting aquatic biodiversity
- Developed statistical models that predicted aquatic biodiversity based on abiotic variables
- Ran various management scenarios to optimize aquatic biodiversity conservation
- Lead the writing of 2 papers based on the previous analyses related to the following:
- Current mussel distribution across the Northeast and the main drivers of their distribution
- Climate change and management scenarios that would lead to the least the impact on fish and mussel biodiversity across the Northeast
- Lead or assist with data and software releases associated with project products to make the analyses entirely reproducible and available
- Convene meetings with state partners (~quarterly) and present at a scientific conference
- Create a public facing webpage with a series of maps showing species occurrence probabilities into the future
To apply, please send the following materials in a single PDF with the following document name “YOUR LAST NAME-Aquatic Bio app- 2023.pdf” in an email with the subject “Aquatic Biodiversity application” to Dr. Graziella DiRenzo at [email protected] :
a. A cover letter (see instructions below)
b. A curriculum vitae or resume;
c. The contact information (name, position, relationship to applicant, email, and phone number) for three references;
Application deadline is 29 Oct 2023 by 11:59 pm.
The cover letter should be 1–2 pages describing:
- If this would be a postmasters or postdoc position for you
- Availability for starting this position (ideally – sometime between Dec 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024)
- Research interests and background
- Why you are interested in this position
- Career goals
- Experience (if applicable) and/or enthusiasm for learning about each of the following areas (note we do not expect applicants to have experience under each of these areas):
- Ecological knowledge related to:
- aquatic biota (fishes, freshwater mussels)
- stream/riparian ecology
- spatial/landscape ecology
- climate change
- Quantitative and computer skills related to:
- statistical modeling of count and presence/absence data
- Geographic Information Systems and spatial analysis
- Writing skills related to:
- synthesis of information
- evidence of completing projects and writing
- Project management skills related to working with stakeholders
- Ecological knowledge related to:
Please send any questions to Dr. Graziella DiRenzo ([email protected]) or Dr. Allison Roy ([email protected]).
Leadership Team
Graziella DiRenzo – U.S. Geological Survey, MA Coop Unit
Allison Roy – U.S. Geological Survey, MA Coop Unit
Rebecca Quiñones, Jason Stolarski, Jason Carmignani, Todd Richards – MassWildlife
Nondiscriminatory AA/EEO statement
The University of Massachusetts provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates.