[Coral-List] Postdoctoral Researcher - Vantuna Research Group, Occidental College

[Vantuna Research Group]

The Vantuna Research Group (VRG) (www.oxy.edu/vantuna-research-group) at
Occidental College is offering a full-time (12 month) Postdoctoral
Researcher position supervised by Drs. Dan Pondella and Amanda Zellmer
(Occidental College & VRG) and Dr. Jeremy Claisse (Cal Poly Pomona & VRG).
The VRG works on a variety of macro- and micro-scale research projects in
the Southern California Bight. These include the evaluation of marine
protected areas, subtidal rocky-reef restoration projects, artificial
reefing technology, time-series analyses related to fisheries and climate
change, fish life history studies, and the secondary production of fish and
invertebrate biomass on oil platforms and natural reefs. The researcher
must be self-motivated and willing to participate in team-oriented research
on multiple ongoing projects. Primary responsibilities will include
research associated with a 2-year Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant from NOAA
Fisheries investigating the ecological and fisheries value of manmade
marine habitats in southern California. This involves mapping natural and
manmade reefs in the region, analyzing existing data to identify
characteristics of high quality reef habitat, and modeling spatial patterns
in biomass and production of fishes and invertebrates to compare the
relative contributions of natural and manmade reefs. Day-to-day duties
include substantive involvement in data analysis, database development and
management, acquisition of new spatial data and metadata, and research
synthesis. Duties will also include assisting in the preparation of grant
proposals and reports related to this research. The researcher will be
expected to develop manuscripts as lead author. Opportunities will also
exist to develop and conduct their own research within the broader context
of this position and to participate in field work, including ongoing kelp
forest monitoring projects involving scientific scuba diving.

*Essential Qualifications:*

   - PhD degree in a relevant scientific field
   - Publication track record with first-author experience
   - Extensive experience using GIS (e.g., ARC/INFO) software
   - Programming skills and proficiency in R (or MATLAB/Python, with
   interest and ability to learn R)
   - Experience applying remote sensing data or GIS methods to ecological
   problems
   - Proficiency in statistical analysis

*Preferred Qualifications:*

   - Expertise in spatial ecological modeling, predictive species-habitat
   modeling, generalized linear models and/or generalized additive models
   - Experience using remote sensing data, bathymetric data, and/or aerial
   photographs to map habitat and environmental characteristics
   - Experience with multivariate analysis methods (e.g., ordination, CAP,
   PERMANOVA)
   - Experience interacting with State or Federal marine resource
   management agencies
   - Knowledge of taxonomy and identification of southern California marine
   algae, invertebrates, and fishes
   - Current AAUS research scuba diving certification

The initial appointment will be made for 2 years, with possibility of
extension based on performance and availability of external grant funding.
Start date for this position can be anytime between March and July 1, 2016
depending on the candidate’s availability. The annual salary range for this
position is $47,000 to $52,000, dependent on qualifications and experience.
This is a fulltime appointment that includes a competitive benefits package
including health, dental, life, and retirement. Additional opportunities to
gain teaching experience and supplement income as an adjunct instructor in
the Biology Department at Occidental College may also become available.
Applications *must* include a CV, a cover letter describing experience,
research accomplishments and interests, and three letters of reference. All
applications should be sent to vrg at oxy.edu with subject line indicating
“Postdoctoral Position”; the three reference letters should be sent
directly to the same email address. Review of applications will begin
February 5, 2016, and will continue until the position is filled. Any
inquiries regarding the position should be sent to vrg at oxy.edu.

*Occidental College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not
discriminate against employees or applicants because of race, religious
creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental
disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex,
gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, or sexual orientation or
any other characteristic protected by State or Federal Law.*