[Coral-List] Assistant Scientist Position with RSMAS/CIMAS/NOAA-AOML-CHAMP

[Jim Hendee]

  [Please do not respond to me concerning this position; rather, see the 
appropriate link for applying.  Thank you.]

ASSISTANT SCIENTIST/OCEANOGRAPHY

(Position #031489)

The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) of 
the University of Miami invites applications for an Assistant Scientist 
position in Oceanography.  The successful candidate will be responsible 
for assessing multi-parameter data sets derived from in situ stations 
deployed all over the world, as well as from satellite sources, and will 
be responsible for assisting knowledge engineers (expert system 
programmers) at the NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological 
Laboratory (AOML) in the refinement of models that forecast coral 
bleaching and other physiological processes, such as growth.  The 
research will involve collaboration with scientists at the Rosenstiel 
School for Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) and, especially the 
Ocean Chemistry Division's Coral Health and Monitoring Program.  
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Oceanography or Marine and Atmospheric 
Sciences, and a minimum of one year of post-doctoral research experience. 

Make your application on line at:

    http://www.miami.edu/careers


More info:

ASSISTANT SCIENTIST/OCEANOGRAPHY

The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) of 
the University of Miami invites applications for an Assistant Scientist 
position in Oceanography.  The principal objective of the research will 
be to assess the effects of high sea temperature, light, carbon dioxide 
and other physical environmental parameters on the health of corals, 
especially as it relates to coral bleaching, spawning and growth.  The 
research will involve collaboration with scientists at the Rosenstiel 
School for Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) and the NOAA/Atlantic 
Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), and the Hurricane 
Research Division (HRD).

Research Situation

The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing 
multi-parameter data sets derived from in situ stations deployed all 
over the world, as well as from satellite sources, and will be 
responsible for assisting knowledge engineers (expert system 
programmers) at AOML in the refinement of models that forecast coral 
bleaching and other physiological processes, such as spawning and 
growth.  A certification of competency in SCUBA diving is required.

To accomplish these tasks, improvements in the current assessment of 
forecast models will be required.  Such improvements may include the 
determination of modulators of the transmittance of light through the 
water column, including the role of chromophoric dissolved organic 
matter (CDOM) and turbidity, large scale circulation processes over 
coral reef areas, and the role of carbon dioxide in coral bleaching 
and/or growth. 

In addition to the model development tasks described above, the 
successful candidate will be expected to pursue improvements in the 
understanding of coral bleaching physiology, coral larval drift and 
settlement processes, and any interactive processes that elucidate the 
coupling of coral reefs with mangrove and seagrass ecosystems.

Such pursuits as those described above will require collaboration with 
scientists approaching the problem from both theoretical and 
observational perspectives.  Furthermore, the successful candidate will 
be expected to aid in the design and execution of experiments conducted 
as part of AOML's Integrated Coral Observing Network.  Such experiments 
will typically involve the installation and monitoring of instruments at 
remote instrumented in situ arrays, and subsequent interpretation of 
results coincident with observation of biota comprising the local reef 
area.  The incumbent is expected to become familiar with the current 
related research at AOML, and to collaborate with other investigators at 
RSMAS and AOML who are already making progress in these areas which 
could benefit from coral reef modeling and monitoring programs.

Supervision Received

The incumbent will be responsible for working with minimal supervisory 
assistance and will periodically report to the Director of CIMAS and at 
informal research seminars on the progress of his/her work.  The 
incumbent will derive technical guidance regarding his/her work through 
interactions with colleagues at RSMAS and AOML.  Concepts will be 
developed, clarified and refined primarily by peer discussion within the 
community at RSMAS and AOML.  Results will be reviewed by the Director 
for completeness and clarity prior to publication and, to insure 
compliance with CIMAS policies.

Guidelines and Originality

A high degree of originality is required to identify productive 
strategies for the completion of this research.  The successful 
candidate will be expected to function as an independent 
scientist/principal investigator while exchanging concepts with other 
scientists throughout the global scientific community and in adapting 
new concepts to address this specific problem area.  He/she is expected 
to interact on a regular basis with RSMAS and AOML scientists in an 
effort to bring a wide range of experience and resources to bear on the 
solution of the identified research problems.

Qualifications

The appointee must possess a doctoral degree in Oceanography or Marine 
and Atmospheric Sciences and have a minimum of one year of post-doctoral 
experience.

A detailed knowledge of marine ecosystem processes, preferably with an 
emphasis on physical environmental factors which influence the lives of 
corals is required.  Furthermore, the successful candidate requires a 
demonstrated record of proficiency in technical writing and 
presentations at scientific meetings.  Specific qualifications include:

·    familiarity of coral reef processes
·    a knowledge of Caribbean coral taxonomy
·    a knowledge of coral bleaching physiology
·    demonstrated facility with statistical treatment of environmental 
processes
·    certification in SCUBA diving, including a record of all dives
·    demonstrated track record in achieving publications in refereed 
journals and presenting results at scientific conferences