[Coral-List] [Coral-list] Postdoctoral Research Fellowship -Fish behavior/physiology

[Jacob Johansen]

Sorry for the cross posting. Deadline for application is 31 Jan 2020.


*Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in behavioral and eco-physiological
stress responses of coral reef fishes*



ORIGINAL POST: NOV 29, 2019

Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa


*Fellowship description and duties:*

The Johansen laboratory (www.JohansenLab.com <http://www.johansenlab.com/>)
at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (
https://www.hawaii.edu/himb/) is seeking to recruit a quantitative
postdoctoral fellow to conduct laboratory and field work in coral reef
ecosystems. The successful candidate will design and lead research
investigating behavioral and eco-physiological responses of coral reef
fishes to the major anthropogenic stressors currently facing coral reef
ecosystems in Hawaii and globally (e.g. terrigenous run-off, pollutants,
ocean warming, habitat loss).


*Research context and specific focus: *

Coral reefs are in decline globally, largely due to a combination of global
(climate change) and localized (e.g. terrestrial sediment run-off,
turbidity, pollution, dredging) pressures from human activity. To
effectively conserve and mitigate impacts, there is a need to quantify the
responses of key species, particularly those important to ecosystem
functions and productivity/fisheries. The Johansen Lab is dedicated to
understanding how critical species, including endemic and invasive coral
reef fishes, react and adapt to environmental stressors and determine
threshold tolerance levels beyond which deleterious consequences arise. We
work throughout the Hawaiian archipelago and globally, drawing on examples
from naturally extreme systems.



The postdoc will develop novel research questions focused on the behavioral
and physiological stress responses associated with single or combined
stressors within an ecologically relevant context. The postdoc need not
have prior experience with coral reef fishes, but will have a broad
perspective and be able to compare findings across ecological relevant
scales.



*Required qualifications:*

·        A Ph.D. in ecology, physiology, ichthyology, toxicology, or an
associated quantitative field;

·        Excellent publication record that illustrates an ability to
conduct novel, independent research;

·        Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills;

·        Experience working with animals and instruments in laboratory and
field settings;

·        Considerable experience working with in field locations on scuba.

·        Demonstrated aptitude for applying advanced computational tools in
a research setting;

·        Strong attention to detail, and meticulous work style, as
evidenced by previous research;

·        Excellent time management skills, including demonstrated project
management skills and timely completion;

·        Demonstrated ability to mentor, or an interest in mentoring,
junior laboratory members;

·        Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the
ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to communicate
research findings at professional meetings and in high-quality
peer-reviewed journals.



*Desirable qualifications:*

·        Experience participating in or leading marine field expeditions in
remote locations;

·        Experience as a small boat operator;

·        Experience conducting visual surveys and collecting live fishes on
scuba;

·        Experience maintaining aquaria, fish husbandry, and monitoring
water quality parameters;

·        Experience using intermittent respirometry (resting, swimming) for
assessments of metabolic performance;

·        Experience using behavioral assays in lab and field conditions.

·        Experienced programming in LabView/Python/Matlab/R or similar.



*Research environment:*

The postdoc will be based in the lab of Dr. Jacob Johansen at the Hawaii
Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). HIMB is within the School of Ocean and
Earth Science and Technology (SOEST; http://www.soest.hawaii.edu) at the
University of Hawaii at Manoa. HIMB provides unparalleled research
opportunities, and is located in a unique location on Moku o Lo‘e Island
(Coconut Island) surrounded by coral reefs in Kane‘ohe Bay of O‘ahu (~ 24
km from the main university campus in Manoa).



Research in the Johansen Lab focuses on how tropical coral reef organisms
react and adapt to natural and human-induced environmental stress. Topics
of particular interest include species habitat selection, species
range-shifts, habitat invasions, and the capacity of species to mitigate
ongoing stressors. We use a combination of field and state-of-the-art
laboratory techniques to quantify impacts of disturbances on ecosystem
health and resilience, and provide practical solutions to policymakers,
communities and industries. As such, research that informs questions of
fundamental importance to coral reef conservation are encouraged.



The Johansen lab and HIMB is a supportive and stimulating research
environment with a group of highly collegial scientists who are committed
to scientific exploration, open science, and enhancing diversity in STEM.
We offer a unique work environment providing access to diving/boating as
well as flow-through aquarium facilities with capacity to hold a range of
species and manipulate multiple environmental parameters including
temperature, oxygen, salinity, suspended sediment loads/turbidity. We also
offer access to a range of specialized equipment, including swimming and
resting respirometry, video, flumes, surgery, tagging/tracking, and ocean
water quality data logging and monitoring.



*Appointment and application:*

The postdoc stipend fellowship is initially for one year, renewable for up
to three years based on performance and funding availability. Fellowship
stipend is commensurate with experience. The start date is flexible but may
begin as early as March 2020.



*To apply:*

Candidates should submit the following materials via email to Dr. Johansen (
jacob.johansen at hawaii.edu) in a single PDF document, with the subject
heading “Johansen Lab postdoc application”. Screening of applicants will
begin immediately. Interviews will be conducted among applications received
no later than Jan. 31, 2019 (Hawaii–Aleutian Standard Time):

·        A cover letter explaining your motivation for applying for this
fellowship, how your prior research experience qualifies you for the
position, how you satisfy the required and desirable qualifications, and
your career goals;

·        A short (2 page excl. references) research proposal describing the
research questions you would like to undertake;

·        A CV (including publication list, which may include publications
in advanced stages of preparation that will be likely in the review process
by the above postdoctoral fellowship deadline date);

·        Names and contact details for three references.



Quality and originality of the research proposal, individual qualifications
and background, academic excellence, and collegiality will be the primary
criteria in selecting the successful candidate.


Cheers,

*Dr Jacob Johansen*
Assistant Research Professor
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
University of Hawaii
46-007 Lilipuna Rd, Kaneohe, HI, USA, 96744
Email: jacob.johansen at hawaii.edu
Homepage: www.JohansenLab.com <http://www.jljohansen.com/>