Post Doctoral Position in Conservation Science We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Postdoctoral Fellow to work with Dr Julia Baum and Dr Tara Martin on Prioritizing Threat Management Strategies to Ensure Long-term Resilience of the Fraser River Estuary. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be based at the University of Victoria (http://uvic.ca) in British Columbia, Canada and will also be associated with CEED (Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; http://ceed.edu.au).
Context: Estuaries are amongst the most important and productive ecosystems within marine environments globally. They also are amongst the most at risk. British Columbias Fraser River Estuary (FRE) provides valuable goods and services to the people of Canada and abroad. Not least, it is the mouth of the largest salmon-bearing river in the world and home to half of BCs rapidly expanding urban population. Without timely and effective conservation management, these goods and services are at risk. Water pollution and loss of habitat resulting from industrial and urban development, exploitation of fish stocks, and climate change are a few of the key threats. Research: The postdoc will undertake a priority threat management assessment to identify the management actions required to abate the key threats to the Fraser River Estuary in order to ensure its long-term resilience. Research effort to date in the FRE has focused on identifying its natural assets and their threats. It is now time to focus research on the identification of the key management actions needed to respond to these threats and emerging risks in order to protect and restore the FREs natural assets for the long-term. The post-doc will develop state-of-the-art techniques in conservation decision science to identify the most effective and at the same time, least costly management actions needed to ensure the long-term resilience of the FRE. Importantly, this type of analysis will clarify what can and cannot be achieved for different levels of investment in environmental management of the estuary. Position: The position is funded by MEOPAR (http://meopar.ca, the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network) one of Canadas Networks of Centres of Excellence, and is offered full time, fixed term for two years at CDN$50,000 per year plus benefits. The position also comes with generous research funds to cover a series of expert elicitation workshops as well as computer and conference/work travel. The successful candidate will join Dr. Julia Baums productive collaborative lab at UVic and will work closely with Dr. Tara Martin. Visit the Baum Lab http://baumlab.weebly.com/ and Martin Conservation Decisions Lab http://taramartin.org/ for more on their cutting edge conservation research. Applicants should have the following qualifications: § A PhD in ecology, environmental studies, oceanography, mathematical biology, or computer science, or other related field; § Strong statistical and mathematical modeling skills including demonstrated proficiency with R and/or MatLab, as well as ArcGIS (or related spatial program); § Excellent technical, analytical, computer, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Strong attention to detail, and meticulous work style, as evidenced by previous research. § Strong interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including developing multi-sector collaborations and leading workshops, as well as the ability to communicate research findings both at professional meetings and in high quality peer-reviewed journals; § Excellent time management skills, including the ability to meet project goals in a timely manner, and follow through on projects. § An interest in marine ecology, conservation and socio-ecological dynamics Application: Interested candidates please email Dr. Baum (baum at uvic.ca) by November 1st with a cover letter, a statement of research interests and postdoctoral fellowship goals, a CV, and contact details for three referees.
