The University of California, Davis (UCD) Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute, in collaboration with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), seek to fill three postdoc positions in the science of adaptive management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs; https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01192). The State of California has implemented a network of 124 MPAs along its coastline through the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA; https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/MPAs/FAQsite). It is in the process of developing a Statewide MPA Monitoring Program to inform the adaptive management of this network of MPAs. The three postdoctoral fellows will each focus on a separate component of the science of adaptive management in an integrated program supported by frequent collaborative meetings with both UCD and CDFW mentors.
The Statewide Monitoring Fellow will focus on development of novel sampling plans and predictive models to compare monitoring data to model projections to inform effective adaptive management of the MPAs This position will be hosted by CDFW in Belmont, CA, and the CDFW mentor will be Becky Ota. The ROV Data Integration Fellow will develop innovative approaches to analyzing spatially explicit visual data currently being collected by CDFW in statewide surveys of MPAs using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). This position will be hosted by CDFW in Eureka, CA, and the CDFW mentor will be Mike Prall. The Fishery/MPA Integration Fellow will focus on development of effective methods for the integration of MPAs into fisheries management under the Marine Life Management Act. This position will be hosted by UC Davis in Davis, CA, and the CDFW mentor will be Sonke Mastrup who is based in Sacramento, CA. Work by the postdoctoral Fellows at these three locations will be closely coordinated through frequent electronic and face-to-face meetings. Each position is funded for 18 months, and they will all begin at the same, earliest possible time. The participating UCD mentors are Marissa Baskett, Louis Botsford, Alan Hastings, John Largier, and Steven Morgan. Full position descriptions are available for each of the positions at http://cmsi.ucdavis.edu/resources/graduate-postdoc.html. Together these postdocs provide a unique opportunity to work at the academia-agency interface and advance the science of adaptive management in the context of one of the worlds most extensive MPA networks. We seek individuals with a PhD in Ecology, Fisheries, Marine Science or a related field and research expertise in at least one of: MPAs, fisheries science, population dynamics, spatial ecology or ecosystem management. The research will be highly collaborative, so the individuals will need to have experience and interest in effectively working in interdisciplinary teams on cross-cutting issues. Applicants should have programming skills in languages such as R, Matlab or Python. Interested candidates should submit: a) a one-page cover letter that includes which of the three positions you are applying for (you will need to indicate in the letter if you are applying for more than one position and indicate your preferred position) and your anticipated start date, b) your CV, c) a two-page statement of research describing of your relevant background and anticipated approach to the problem you would be addressing (including proposed UCD mentors), and d) the names and contact information of three other scientists familiar with your work, who should all separately submit letters of recommendation. Applicants also have the option of submitting a Diversity Statement (see http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html). Please submit all materials to https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF01192. For full consideration, application and all materials (including letters of recommendation) must be received by September 12, 2016. Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2016, and positions will remain open until filled. Email any questions to Shauna Oh (s...@ucdavis.edu).
