The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral research fellow who will develop spatial models for two projects. For one project, the fellow will apply geographic analysis to develop statistical models that relate the spatial and temporal distributions of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) to the watershed and estuarine characteristics of Chesapeake Bay subestuaries. The resulting models will be used to identify spatial correlates of estuarine responses, quantify predictor-response relationships, and help guide management decisions. The second project is investigating spawning habitat of River Herring in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The fellow will apply geographic analyses to map and quantify potential spawning habitat. The fellow will also analyze field observations of spawning adult Herring to develop statistical models relating Herring abundance to watershed characteristics. The resulting tools will be applied to guide conservation and habitat restoration for River Herring and other anadromous fish in the Chesapeake Bay. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in ecology or geography, peer-reviewed publications, and professional presentations. Applicants also need strong skills with geographic information system (GIS) analysis and multivariate statistics. Skills in advanced statistical analyses (such as structural equation modeling, Bayesian analysis, or machine learning), or Python automation of GIS analyses could be especially helpful, as would background with aquatic ecology. Available modeling tools will include ArcGIS, R statistical software, and other packages. The position is funded for 2.5 years from grants from NOAA (see http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20091030_chesapeake.html) and from the Smithsonian Institution. The stipend is $48,000/year plus health insurance. For best consideration, send letter of application, resume, graduate and undergraduate transcripts (photocopies are fine), and names of three references (with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) by February 6, 2015 to Dr. Donald Weller ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>), SERC, P.O. Box 28, Edgewater, MD 21037-0028. For more information on SERC visit http://www.serc.si.edu. EOE.
