Position description: There is growing evidence that headwater stream ecosystems are especially vulnerable to changing climate and land use, but their conservation is challenged by the need to address the threats at a landscape scale, often through coordination with multiple management agencies and landowners. This project seeks to provide an example of cooperative landscape decision-making to address the conservation of headwater stream ecosystems in the face of climate change and uncertainty.
The Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts, in collaboration with the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory and the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, seeks a postdoctoral research associate to facilitate a structured decision making process with multiple management agencies (USFWS, NPS, USFS) to frame their decision contexts in headwater stream conservation. Using this framing, the postdoc will develop decision-support tools, including predictive models of headwater stream habitat and species response, that agencies can use to design long-term management strategies. The research will focus on the Potomac River Watershed (MD, PA, VA, WV) and Merrimack River Watershed (MA, ME, NH), and there will be periodic travel to attend regional workshops and meet with collaborators. The successful applicant will be based primarily at the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory in Turners Falls, MA, 30 minutes from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Project leaders: Allison Roy, USGS, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Amherst, MA Evan Grant, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, Turners Falls, MA Mike Runge, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD Ben Letcher, USGS Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory, Turners Falls, MA Qualifications: Competitive candidates will also have one or more of the following qualifications: have a background in structured decision making and/or adaptive management, previous experience leading a collaborative research project, or skills in modeling, estimation, and optimization. The successful candidate will also have excellent writing and personal communication skills. Applicants are expected to have earned a Ph.D. degree in a relevant discipline, preferably within the last 5 years. Benefits: Salary and benefits as a University of Massachusetts employee is competitive, with support available for 2 years. Travel funds will be provided to support visits with study team members and outside cooperators, to attend regional workshops during model development, and to attend professional conferences. Application: Send a letter describing your background and experiences as they relate to this position, and a CV with names and contact information for three references to Evan Grant ([email protected]). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. ---------------------------- Allison Roy, Ph.D. Assistant Unit Leader and Research Assistant Professor U.S. Geological Survey Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Department of Environmental Conservation University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA 01003 Phone: 413.545.4895 Fax: 413/545/4358 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.coopunits.org/Massachusetts/People/
