Postdoctoral Scholar - Survey Value

Position Description

The College of the Environment fosters existing and new collaborations between outstanding faculty, staff and students who are engaged in the study of: the solar system and Earth's dynamic land, water and atmosphere; the development and application of environmental engineering and technological advances; and the impact of policy and human actions on the environment, and the management of natural resources.

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS) is dedicated to sustaining healthy marine and freshwater environments. Our school comprises one of the largest and most diverse academic aquatic and fisheries sciences program in the United States. Our faculty conduct innovative research from the organism to the ecosystem scale, and are recognized leaders in aquatic biology, sustainable fisheries management, and aquatic resource conservation.

The School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences values the strengths and professional experience that students, faculty, and staff bring to our community. We are committed to providing excellent education to all of our students, regardless of their race, gender, class, nationality, physical ability, religion, age, or sexual orientation. We are proud of the different roles that our students, staff, and faculty play in the community of the School and in the College of the Environment. We recognize that science is richer and the SAFS community is more vibrant when a diverse group of people participate in the SAFS community.

The main responsibility of the postdoctoral scholar will be to develop an operating model that will simulate age-structured population dynamics for various Alaska groundfish species under a range of climate variability scenarios. The operating model will be used as part of a management strategy evaluation (MSE) to quantify the value of survey information when anticipating changing climate and changing sampling strategies. The postdoctoral scholar will also be responsible for writing one or two scientific papers documenting the operating model and, if time and funds permit, conducting the full MSE to evaluate the implications of altering survey frequency and design.

This a full-time, position located at the University of Washington in Seattle, although the location at which work is to be conducted is flexible, and remote work is possible. The post-doc will be supervised by Dr. Andre Punt (University of Washington) and will primarily collaborate with Drs. Meaghan Bryan, Lewis Barnett, and Stephen Kasperski (Alaska Fisheries Science Center).This is a 12- month initial appointment, with the possibility of renewal.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Responsibilities Include the following:

• Developing an operating model that will simulate age-structured population dynamics for various Alaska groundfish species under a range of climate variability scenarios;
• Working closely with researchers at University of Washington and the Alaska Fisheries Science Center to parameterize the operating model;
• Determining the impacts of alternative survey designs, sampling frequency and density on the performance of stock assessment models and fisheries under a range of climate variability scenarios;
• Working collaboratively in a team setting and participate in group meetings; and
• Preparing results and leading writing efforts for peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Required:

• PhD or foreign equivalent in Quantitative Ecology, Applied Statistics or a related field.
• Experience or training in fish population dynamics, modelling structured populations, simulation experiments
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R, and/or related applications such as AD Model Builder, Template Model Builder and Stock Synthesis.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative setting.

Desirable:

• Experience or training in management strategy evaluation;

Instructions

To apply please submit your application through Interfolio with the following: (1) A letter of interest detailing your skills and experience. (2) A curriculum-vitae including publications. (3) Three letters of recommendation. Priority will be given to applications received by January 31, 2021.

For questions about this position, including potential disability accommodations, please contact Katie Effert, at keffert@uw.edu or 206-685-6083.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information,
gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.