Postdoctoral Research Associate (Statistical Ecology, Hydrology and Climate Change)
Location Tempe Campus Full/Part Time Full-Time Regular/Temporary Regular Fiscal Appointment Position Type This is a grant funded position. Continuation is contingent on future grant funding. Appointments are year-to-year, with subsequent renewal, based upon performance, the needs of the department, and availability of funding. Hiring Range $32,000 - $42,000 annually, depending on experience Anticipated Start Date April, 2013 Job Description The Water Sustainability and Climate project seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead one component of this NSF-funded project that aims to develop mechanistic statistical models of riverine fish communities and the relationships between climate driven changes in hydrologic regimes and community structure. The successful applicant will be advised by Dr. John Sabo and work closely with his team and partners at North Carolina State University (hydrologists) and NOAA (climatologists). The main goal for the position is to link hydrology and ecology using a combination of spectral analysis of observed and future discharge data and Multi-Variate Autoregressive State Space (MARSS) methods to represent community dynamics of riverine fishes. The selected applicant will perform the following specific tasks: 1. Mine and collate necessary data from easy to access sources from several locations across the sunbelt of the US (Arizona, Texas and North Carolina). 2. Learn, adapt and improve on published spectral methods for analyzing discharge data 3. Learn and implement MARSS models for stream fish community data 4. Collaborate with NCSU and NOAA to develop approaches for forecasting future extreme discharge events and implementing these as covariates in MARSS simulations of fish community resilience 5. Advise and manage a large team of undergraduate and graduate personnel in rugged field conditions during a spring-summer field research program 6. Perform essential administrative duties associated with the project, including financial reporting, progress reports and project collaboration 7. Actively publish in scientific journals, present research at society meetings, and interact regularly with other faculty in related fields at ASU, NCSU, FIU and NOAA Minimum Qualifications Successful candidates must have earned a doctorate at the time of appointment in ecology, hydrology, ecohydrology, statistics or related field. The candidate must exhibit strong quantitative and communication skills, should demonstrate a strong record of publishing in peer-review journals. Desired Qualifications Familiarity with Matlab, R, Python and other languages. Working knowledge of spectral analysis (Fourier and wavelet transforms) and Multi-Variate Autoregressive State Space (MARSS) methods. Disciplinary breadthhydrology, ecology, statistics. Department and Project Information The Global Institute of Sustainability conducts research, education, and problem-solving related to sustainability, with a special focus on urban environments. The Institute initiates and nurtures work on issues of sustainability across many departments on the four campuses of ASU, and collaborates with other academic institutions, governments, businesses and industries, and community groups locally, nationally, and globally. Water Sustainability and Climate project is multi-disciplinary and involves three partner institutionsNorth Carolina State University, Florida International University and NOAA-National Climate Assessment. See the project website for more information: http://www.waterforthesunbelt.org/. More information about John Sabos research can be found at the following URLs: Sabo: http://sols.asu.edu/people/faculty/jsabo.php Sabo Lab: http://www.public.asu.edu/~jlsabo/about_sabo.html News: http://asunews.asu.edu/20101014_riverresearch, http://asunews.asu.edu/20101213_cadillac_desert Field Site: http://www.grayhawknaturecenter.org/ Instructions to Apply To review and apply to this position, please visit www.academicjobsonline.org and search for job number 2535. Applicants must submit a cover letter addressing interest, experience (in response to the requirements stated above) and future career goals, a curriculum vitae, three most relevant publications in PDF form, and the names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for three professional references. Only electronic applications will be accepted. Application Close Date Initial close date is March 1, 2013. Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until position is filled. Background Check Statement ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Arizona State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The Global Institute of Sustainability actively encourages diversity among its applicants and workforce. For ASU's complete non-discrimination statement point your browser to: https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.
