Attention Marine Ecologists:
Please see this exciting new post-doc opportunity in my lab studying the
functional ecology of coralline algae off the coast of British Columbia. We
will start reviewing applications at the end of this week (January 4), so don’t
delay.
Information pasted below or see this link:
https://botany.ubc.ca/about_us/careers/hakai-coastal-initiative-postdoctoral-fellowship-functional-ecology-coralline-algae
Cheers-
Patrick T. Martone, Associate Professor
Botany Department & Biodiversity Research Centre
University of British Columbia
www.botany.ubc.ca/martone
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Hakai Coastal Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Functional Ecology of
Coralline Algae
Supervisor: Dr. Patrick T. Martone (Botany Department, University of British
Columbia)
Applications are invited for a two-year post-doctoral fellowship (PDF) focused
on the diversity and functional ecology of coralline algae in the NE Pacific.
CONTEXT
Coralline algae are important components of nearshore marine communities
worldwide, competing for primary substrate, creating habitat, and affecting
patterns of algal and invertebrate recruitment. Unfortunately, our
understanding of coralline algal ecology has been severely limited by our
inability to identify and differentiate species, which exhibit simple and often
convergent morphologies. By basing identifications on DNA sequences, recent
work has demonstrated that coralline communities are far more diverse than
previously thought and that coralline species differ widely in physiological
and ecological performance. For example, contrary to the current paradigm, the
uniform “coralline pavement” that emerges within heavily grazed urchin barrens
represents a collection of cryptic coralline species, dominated by a few
winners and missing several species found in kelp forests. The PDF researcher
will help clarify the performance of individual coralline species and the
responses of coralline communities to disturbance in order to gain insight into
the functioning and recovery of kelp forests.
FELLOWSHIP
Supervised by Dr. Patrick Martone (UBC Botany), core research efforts will
include: (1) reciprocal transplants and lab manipulations of natural coralline
communities across gradients of herbivory and environmental stress to document
species resilience, clarify competitive hierarchies, and characterize shifts in
community composition, and (2) lab experiments on the recruitment of
invertebrates and algal spores to individual coralline species. Research will
be conducted in association with the Hakai Institute (https://www.hakai.org),
with fieldwork based primarily on Calvert Island and lab studies primarily on
Quadra Island. The Hakai Institute is a rich environment of scientists and
researchers, and the fellow will help strengthen collaborations with other
Hakai researchers on coralline microbes, response to climate change, and
recruitment.
This is a limited term, two-year PDF position paid at a rate of $55,000 CAD per
year plus Mandatory Employment Related Benefits with an opportunity for renewal
given satisfactory performance and funding availability. We are looking for a
candidate who has completed a PhD within the last five years and who shows
evidence of strong quantitative skills, experimental design, and expertise in
some aspect of marine field ecology. Scientific diving certification and
experience is preferred. Experience studying coralline algal physiology,
ecology, or species diversity is also preferred. Abilities to work
independently, meet regular milestones, and communicate in English are
essential.
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV, and examples of 2 research papers to
Dr. Patrick Martone by email (pmart...@mail.ubc.ca). Your cover letter should
address your interest in the project and the skills and experience you can
bring to the work. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent
residents. Review of applications will start on 4 January 2019, and we hope to
fill the position for a start date of 1 March 2019.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and
diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from visible
minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities,
persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with
the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.
