[Coral-List] Post-doctoral position available at Florida International University within the FISHSCAPE project

[Alastair Harborne]

The FISHSCAPE Project (Fish In Seagrass Habitats: Seascape Connectivity Across Protected Ecosystems) is a large, NOAA-funded study that will run at Florida International University (FIU) from 2021-2025 and is led by Principal Investigators Dr Alastair Harborne<https://www.tropicalfishecologylab.com/>, Dr Justin Campbell, Professor James Fourqurean<https://seagrass.fiu.edu/>, Dr Yannis Papastamatiou<https://www.peclabfiu.com/>, and Dr Rolando Santos. Briefly, marine protected areas often aim for habitat representation to fulfil the needs of species that forage widely, such as from reefs into seagrass beds. In the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) contain only a small area of seagrass, but if this was to be expanded there is little data on how much seagrass is required to support foraging reef fishes. This project will collect field and laboratory data to provide clear guidance to managers on these seagrass requirements. Project components will include data on seascape characteristics and their potential to change because of environmental stressors, invertebrate and fish prey abundances, risk of predation, fish foraging patterns (using acoustic telemetry), fish physiology, and stable isotopes. These data will be integrated into bioenergetic models that will allow us to estimate the seagrass area needed within a SPA to support foraging reef fishes under current and future habitat states and consequently aid management decisions.

https://environment.fiu.edu/what-we-study/projects/fishscape/
https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/oct21/habitat-connectivity.html
https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/news/nccos-awards-1-7m-to-support-habitat-connectivity-research-in-national-marine-sanctuaries/

A Post-doctoral position is available - applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but we encourage applicants to apply by November 30th 2021. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply to Job Opening ID 525467 at https://facultycareers.fiu.edu/ and attach a cover letter (outlining background, expertise, and interests), curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for at least 3 references.

Postdoctoral researcher (based within the Harborne and Papastamatiou labs at the Biscayne Bay Campus)

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher (full time for up to 4 years depending on performance) to play a key role in conducting the research (fieldwork, data processing and analysis, and paper writing) and helping to coordinate all components of the project (e.g., liaising with Principal Investigators, Management Transition Advisory Group, project members, and NOAA). The research focus of this project will be on the movement ecology of foraging fishes using acoustic tracking and integrating a range of data to build bioenergetic models and apply them to energy seascapes.

Required qualifications:
●        PhD in tropical marine science
●        Experience of working with acoustic receivers, implanting transmitters in fish, and analyzing acoustic tracking data
●        Knowledge of fish physiology
●        Experience of fieldwork on Caribbean reefs
●        Strong quantitative skills (e.g., statistical modeling in R)
●        Proven track record in publishing in peer-reviewed journals
●        Excellent communication and organizational skills with a range of stakeholders
●        SCUBA diving qualification

Desirable qualifications:
●        Building bioenergetic models
●        Knowledge of seagrass and seascape ecology
●        AAUS diving qualification, experience driving research boats
●        Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
●        Experience of project management, including outreach with a range of stakeholders

About FIU

Florida International University is Miami’s public research university, focused on student success. According to U.S. News and World Report, FIU has 42 top-50 rankings in the nation among public universities. FIU is a top U.S. research university (R1), with more than $200 million in annual expenditures. FIU ranks 15th in the nation among public universities for patent production, which drives innovation, and is one of the institutions that helps make Florida the top state for higher education. The Next Horizon fundraising campaign is furthering FIU’s commitment to providing students Worlds Ahead opportunities. Today, FIU has two campuses and multiple centers, and supports artistic and cultural engagement through its three museums: Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, the Wolfsonian-FIU, and the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU. FIU is a member of Conference USA, with more than 400 student-athletes participating in 18 sports. The university has awarded more than 330,000 degrees to many leaders in South Florida and beyond. For more information about FIU, visit www.fiu.edu<http://www.fiu.edu>.

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.


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Dr Alastair Harborne
Assistant Professor
Tropical Fish Ecology Lab
http://tropicalfishecologylab.com<http://tropicalfishecologylab.com/>

Institute of Environment & Department of Biological Sciences
Florida International University,
MSB 352, Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 NE 151 Street,
North Miami, Florida 33181, USA

Tel: +1-305-919-4232
email: aharborn at fiu.edu<mailto:aharborn at fiu.edu>
Skype name: al_harborne
Twitter: @alharborne
Website: https://marine.fiu.edu/faculty/alastair-harborne/

Ecology Editor, Coral Reefs: http://www.springer.com/life+sciences/ecology/journal/338
ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/F-6155-2013