Overview:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

GMRI is currently seeking applicants for a 2-year postdoctoral researcher position to conduct research on climate-ecosystem interactions, fisheries dynamics, and coastal ecosystem ecology in the Gulf of Maine. The postdoctoral associate will work under the supervision of Dr. Graham Sherwood (Fisheries Ecologist) and collaborate with a team of scientists at GMRI and staff at the Quahog Bay Conservancy (QBC; https://quahogbay.org/) to examine the impacts of anthropogenic change on coastal living marine resources in Maine. The successful candidate will be responsible for taking part in, and synthesizing results from, a long-term (10 year) coastal monitoring program known as CBASS (https://gmri.org/projects/casco-bay-aquatic-systems-survey-cbass/) which will involve field work (beach seining, hook-and-line sampling, and eDNA sampling), data management, quantitative analyses of fish community dynamics, quantitative spatio- temporal and cross-trophic syntheses, and mentoring undergraduate students during the summer at QBC.

The start date is June 1, 2023 or earlier. The position will be located primarily at GMRI (www.gmri.org) in Portland, ME; summer months (June – August) will be spent in residence at QBC (Harpswell, ME; about a 45 min drive from GMRI). The position will remain open until April 15, 2023 but applications will be reviewed upon submission.

Responsibilities:

• Synthesize historical cross-trophic time series data and relate patterns to physical, biological, and ecological changes in the region.
• Organize and lead field sampling effort that includes but is not limited to physical water measurements, beach seining (for littoral and juvenile fish and invertebrates), hook-and-line sampling (for groundfish), and water sampling for eDNA.
• Mentor undergraduate summer interns (4-6) at QBC during the summer (June – August).
• Manage the CBASS-derived data,
• Lead, and at times assist, interns and technicians with statistical analysis to understand long and short-term changes in the coastal ecosystem.
• Contribute to annual reports (status of the ecosystem) for CBASS
• Contribute to proposals to support later stages of this research.
• Synthesize and share results in peer-reviewed scientific papers and industry and scientific conferences.
• Travel to regional stakeholder meetings, project team workshops, and industry and scientific conferences
• Participate in project team meetings and workshops.
• Participate in lab and GMRI/QBC staff meetings and activities.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, such as coastal ecology, fisheries biology, applied mathematics, statistics, or another field that demonstrates a strong quantitative background (e.g., modeling, spatial statistics, time-series analysis).
• Experience with field work including sampling techniques (e.g., beach seining, fishing, eDNA sampling), small boat operation, and the ability to work off hours and in variable conditions as needed.
• Demonstrated experience and fluency in relevant programming languages (e.g., R).
• Strong written and oral communication skills, as evidenced through publications in the peer reviewed scientific literature and presentation of results to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Eligible to work in the United States

Diversity and Inclusion:

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Applicants and employees are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify their race/ethnicity, gender, disability status and veteran status to assist GMRI in fulfilling various data reporting requirements of the federal government. This self-identification, which is completely voluntary, will be kept confidential and separate from your application data, and used only to meet federal reporting requirements. Providing or declining to provide this information will not result in adverse action of any kind.

Salary and Benefits:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary: $60,100 - $96,200

To Apply:

To apply for this position: submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. We will not accept resumes sent to any email address. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.