See position description below. Please distribute widely. Thank you! *----*
*Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Adaptive Management of Invasive Phragmites in the Great Lakes Basin* Aggressive invasion by the non-native invasive *Phragmites australis* (common reed) is a significant management priority for private, State, and Federal resources managers in the Great Lakes basin, Great Salt Lake basin, and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coastal regions. Although a tremendous amount of time and energy has been invested in *Phragmites* management and control in the U.S. Great Lakes coastal zone, this invasive plant continues to be a regional threat. Management efforts to reduce the ecological, commercial, and recreational impacts of *Phragmites* can be effective on a small spatial scale, but they are resource intensive, largely uncoordinated with one another at a regional scale, and often without adequate post-treatment monitoring to evaluate ecosystem response. Standardized monitoring approaches, regional data analysis, and site-specific management support will promote development of customized best management practices and landscape-scale control based on adaptive management principles. *Position Description*: In 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative began a region-wide investment in the control of the invasive *Phragmites* in Great Lakes basin. This investment created a comprehensive foundation with many facets including basin-wide mapping and vulnerability assessments, collaboration between the state and local management communities as well as the scientific community, aggressive control using conventional approaches, and research into innovative management strategies. We are seeking a post-doctoral research associate to lead an integrated effort to develop system models and decision support tools for regional adaptive management of *Phragmites* that are informed by on-the-ground data. The new integrated approach will build on existing successful programs and resources (e.g., the Great Lakes *Phragmites* Collaborative, structured decision making at the local land-unit scale, Best Management Practices (BMP) guidelines), develop much needed new components (e.g., standardized scalable monitoring protocol, centralized data management system, large-scale state/transition models, expanded BMP toolkit), and support a strategic information stream to support decision makers. Development of the integrated approach will need to be a multi-institution effort to both take advantage of existing investments and maximize basin-wide participation and investment by resource managers. Success of this project will result in a framework for using adaptive management to manage *Phragmites* on the patch and landscape scale. *Qualifications*: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in ecology, natural resource management, biometrics, natural resource economics, applied mathematics, statistics, operations research, or related field. 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, operational knowledge of invasive plant species management, skills and experience with stakeholder workshops and facilitation, or skills in modeling, estimation, and optimization. Excellent mathematical and programming skills with experience and abilities in statistical estimation and simulation modeling are desired. The successful candidate will also have excellent writing and personal communication skills and demonstrate commitment to timely completion of deliverables, commitment to publication of results in peer-reviewed outlets, and strong potential to work collaboratively with multiple agencies on a highly visible research topic. Occasional travel to stakeholder meetings and scientific conferences is likely. The candidate will be employed by the Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Georgia and based in Athens GA during the summer season (e.g., 2 months) or periodically throughout the year (depending on work load). The need for a high degree of contact and face-to-face collaboration with USGS and other partner agencies requires that candidate work from the USGS - Great Lakes Science Center in Ann Arbor, MI for the remaining 9-10 months of the year. The candidate selected for the position must be able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and continue working legally for the proposed term of the appointment. *Compensation*: This is a full-time, fixed-term, non-tenure-track appointment for up to 24 months with likely extension for an additional 12 months (36 months total). Additional extensions are possible depending on funding availability and candidate performance). Annual salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience. Benefits include health insurance options and paid leave; a full list of benefits offered by the University of Georgia may be found at www.hr.uga.edu/benefits. Extension of the appointment beyond year one is contingent on satisfactory performance. *To Apply:* Interested candidates should provide in a single PDF document (1) a cover letter, (2) a current vita, (3) a transcript of PhD work indicating degree award date, and (4) the names and contact information of three references who can attest to the candidate’s qualifications. The cover letter should address qualifications and skills in the areas of expertise listed above. Send applications and inquiries by email to Dr. Clint Moore, Assistant Unit Leader, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, *[email protected]* <[email protected]>. Applications will be accepted until *August 6, 2015*, or until a suitable candidate is found.
