The following position announcement is available online: http://pwssc.org/about/jobs-2/
Position Announcement: Ecologist/Biologist/Environmental Scientist (Fisheries focus) The Prince William Sound Science Center (www.pwssc.org), a non-profit research and education institution located on the shores of Prince William Sound in Cordova, Alaska (www.cordovachamber.com and www.cityofcordova.net), is seeking a highly motivated scientist for a fisheries-related research position focused on pelagic fish assessment and systems ecology. This individual will join a multi-disciplinary and multi- institutional team studying and monitoring various aspects of the ecosystem dynamics of Prince William Sound. Job function: Perform ecosystem research relevant to understanding recruitment of commercially relevant fish populations. Background: This position requires an enthusiastic fisheries ecologist to conduct basic and applied research in Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska. The research focus of the PWSSC is on understanding the physical and biological mechanisms affecting diversity, productivity and ecosystem function in Prince William Sound, the Copper River watershed, and northern Gulf of Alaska. Prince William Sound (PWS) is located in the northeast corner of the Pacific at 60° N and includes an intricate network of maritime glaciers, rain forests, offshore islands, barrier island, wetlands, and freshwater and marine systems. PWS has 4900 km of shoreline and is surrounded by the Chugach Mountains that reach 4,300 m and contain the most extensive system of tidewater glaciers in North America. Most of the land area is in or adjacent to the Chugach National Forest. Of the five PWS communities, only Valdez and Whittier have highway access to the main road system. Access to Cordova is by boat or plane. The community is regularly served by Alaska Marine Highway System ferries and an airport that receives daily commercial airline traffic. Commercial salmon fisheries are the cornerstone of the local Cordova economy. Herring, Pacific cod, sablefish, halibut, shrimp, crab, and razor clams are among either current or historically important fisheries within Prince William Sound. The Sound is also important for subsistence and sport fisheries of these and other species. Qualifications: PhD in ecology, fisheries science, marine biology, aquatic sciences, biostatistics, environmental science or related field. Strong quantitative and analytical skills (statistics or modeling excellence preferred). Able to design and conduct research projects as an individual and as part of a team. Insight and ability to apply diverse and appropriate field, laboratory, and analytical approaches to hypothesis- driven ecological research. Familiarity with stable isotope analysis. Existing peer-reviewed publication record. Supervisory experience. Willing and able to perform fieldwork in remote locations, including at sea, during harsh weather conditions. Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate scientific information to stakeholders of various backgrounds in various settings. The successful applicant will be expected to: work independently as well as in collaboration with other researchers; publish research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals; write proposals to generate funding for future work; seek and solidify collaborations with researchers at PWSSC and other organizations; submit timely reports; and contribute content to other publications and media outlets. The ideal applicant will be organized, self motivated, independent, pro- active, collegial, have a proven ability to produce tangible results from significant or difficult tasks, have excellent communication skills, be able to work as part of a research team, and complement the research interests of existing personnel. Travel may be required. Responsibilities include: Overseeing all aspects of research, implementing research projects designed to address management objectives and uncertainties as related to commercially relevant fisheries populations in the region. Supervision of both permanent and temporary staff is required (field crew members, technicians, and the like). This position is funded through two ongoing research programs which the successful candidate is required to participate in: a multi-year, multi-investigator herring research and monitoring program; and a multi-year, multi-investigator salmon research program. Copies of the proposals funding this position are available upon request. This position’s herring research is related to juvenile herring energetics and ecology conducted in support of a large, multi-institution survey effort focused on herring populations in PWS. Knowledge of Pacific herring or other forage fish populations is desirable. The position is responsible for working with other team members to collect and process fish from both scientific and community-based fishing efforts. This project is supported by a full-time technician, which this position is required to oversee. Data collected in this project will need to be analyzed to determine how juvenile herring condition may affect survival and subsequent recruitment to the fisheries. For more information: http://pwssc.org/research/fish-2/pacific-herring/ http://pwssc.org/exploring-changes-in-herring-energetics-over-winter- months/ This position’s salmon research is focused on collection of data to support an Alaska Department of Fish and Game study on the interactions between hatchery-reared and wild salmon populations. As a lead principal investigator (PI) on this program, you will communicate regularly with other PIs and a project manager, and you will ensure all field technician and logistics requirements are met to successfully carry out an ongoing multi-year contract. Approximately six to ten field technicians overseen by this position extensively sample over 30 streams around PWS for both genetic and otolith samples between the months of March and October. Mapping of streams, collection, organization, and transmission of data are all regular components of this project. For more information: http://pwssc.org/research/fish-2/hatchery-wild-salmon-interactions/ Peer-reviewed publication of results on any projects conducted on behalf of PWSSC is an expectation. Funding through fiscal year 2015 is relatively secure for this position. The successful candidate will compete to secure additional funds to initiate new research or continue ongoing research after that time. All research and outreach is in service to PWSSC’s mission. The starting date of the position is flexible; preference is for the successful candidate to begin as soon as possible. Applicant must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen or have U.S. Permanent Residence status. Salary and benefits: Salary is dependent on experience; benefits include health insurance (with dental and vision coverage), paid time off and optional enrollment in a 403(b) retirement annuity. Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants will submit their curriculum vitae, a one-page statement of research interests and how you think you would fit into our organization, and the names of three references with their contact information addressed via email to Katrina Hoffman, President and CEO, Prince William Sound Science Center, [email protected]. Review of applications will begin on August 12, 2013. Position open until filled.
