MARINE DISEASE ECOLOGIST Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Term Appointment
Disease is a major force in coastal marine systems with growing impacts to large-scale ecosystems as well as regional and global ocean economics. The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is seeking a scholar with expertise in marine diseases (pathogens) and/or marine parasites to develop a new research program in marine disease ecology. The candidate will leverage the capabilities of existing SERC labs and bridge interests at SERC and throughout the Smithsonian Institution to better understand human drivers of coastal disease processes. The candidate will have a PhD in a field relevant to environmental science that provides a breadth of understanding of marine diseases. The position is a 1-year appointment that can be renewed annually for up to a total of 5 years. The pay grade is IS-11 ($66,510) with promotion potential to IS-12 ($87,691) and a full range of benefits. Note that this is not a federal position. The ideal candidate will have research experience in a variety of different host-parasite/disease systems that span two or more host phyla; a focus on disease/parasite impacts on wild populations and communities in natural ecosystems (not aquiculture systems); experience comparing disease/parasite relationships across temperate zone coastal systems such as those of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts; research experience relevant to fisheries impacts; technical skills in genomics or immunological methods that will advance analyses of marine diseases; demonstrated success in securing grants and publishing high quality peer-reviewed papers; and a demonstrated ability to conduct team research. The candidate will be based at the SERC campus in Edgewater MD, a 1,072 hectare complex of terrestrial ecosystems and 19 km of Chesapeake Bay shoreline (www.serc.si.edu). Many of the Center’s 100+ full-time employees commute from nearby Annapolis, MD and Washington, DC. Please e-mail (i) a short letter of interest that describes your experience and qualifications (1-2 pages), (ii) full CV listing publications, and (iii) contact information for three references to [email protected] by Jan 31st. Send inquiries to the same address. Application review will begin immediately and the search will continue until a suitable applicant is found. If an offer is made the candidate will need to submit official transcripts and undergo a background check. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer, and women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
