Positions available as part of a Northwestern Atlantic Coastal Ecosystems research program
We are seeking to fill two positions supported by the Ocean Frontiers Institute (OFI) as part of a multi-institutional collaboration focused on uncovering the coastal ecosystem and food web structure to inform resource management relevant to coastal communities of the northwest Atlantic.
Technical research assistant.A research assistant position focused on data and communications management in support of an interdisciplinary research project is offered as a two-year contract with the potential for an additional two year renewal. Required tasks involve the development of data management tools and a platform for enabling the sharing of common datasets and exchange of results relevant to students, researchers and partners of the project as well as the public. A successful applicant will also need to effectively communicate planning components, results and findings of this project among students, researchers and partners with the goal of enhancing the effectiveness of the research and its uptake.
This position will provide the successful candidate with experience in project management, research implementation, and data management tools. Direct interactions with the entire research team will enable collaborative experiences including students and researchers, spanning physical, biological, chemical, and socio-economical realms in addition to academic, government and indigenous collaborations.
Those with a degree in natural sciences and/or information sciences or equivalent are encouraged to apply. Experience in communication, data management, and working on multidisciplinary projects are all assets to this position. This experience as well as any scientific background or experience with various data formats and platforms should be highlighted in the application letter.
Postdoctoral researcher.We are seeking to fill a two-year fully funded post-doctoral research position in coastal biogeochemistry and ecosystem dynamics. This position will focus on uncovering the sources, sinks and cycling of carbon and nitrogen in riverine influenced coastal ecosystems of Atlantic Canada. Shifts in river water chemistry and discharge dynamics from high latitude rivers over the past few decades suggests climate-induced alterations of these landscapes with repercussions for downstream coastal ecosystems. These alterations include changes to: (1) the fate of terrestrial organic matter; (2) productivity of downstream riverine and coastal ecosystems; and (3) trophodynamics impacting important species to local and indigenous people (e.g. arctic char and salmon). The watersheds accessible within boreal and sub-arctic zones, such as those in Newfoundland and Labrador, provide excellent sentinels for ongoing climate change, enabling critical research to predict future impacts.
This position will provide training in laboratory and field based research techniques including cutting edge biomarker, microbial ecology, nuclear magnetic resonance and stable isotope techniques. Interactions with collaborators within the Canadian Forest Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Nunatsiavut Government and with international collaborators associated with the OFIenabling further development of contacts and research experience.
Those with a recent Ph.D. in marine science, environmental science, biogeosciences or related fields such aquatic biogeochemistry, aquatic microbial ecology, biological or chemical oceanography are encouraged to apply. Experience and willingness to work in diverse and remote field settings is necessary. Assets include: strong written and oral communication skills with significant motivation to publish in the peer reviewed literature; strong interest in team-based interdisciplinary science, with the willingness and ability to work independently when required; demonstrated ability to handle and analyze diverse types of datasets using R, MATLAB, and/or Python.
To apply please send a CV, list of at least three references, and a letter describing your background, interest and suitability for this research program to both Rachel Sipler (resipler@mun.ca) and Susan Ziegler (sziegler@mun.ca). Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. These positions will each be available as early as July 2019. Memorial University is located in beautiful, historic St. John’s, Newfoundland(https://www.newfoundlandlabrador.com/top-destinations/st-johns) in eastern Canada, and has a student population of ~18,000.