Gulf Ecosystem Initiative Postdoc (up to 2 positions)

Description

The National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) at UCSB and NOAA RESTORE Science Program are partnering on a five-year initiative to synthesize data, science, and knowledge about the Gulf of Mexico to inform resource management and restoration efforts. As part of this initiative we will be supporting a growing community of post-docs and synthesis teams; we seek to fill an initial two postdoctoral positions that will work collaboratively with to-be selected synthesis science working groups to address critical, interdisciplinary, environmental questions in the Gulf of Mexico. These are two-year long positions with the potential for a third year and will be based at NCEAS in Santa Barbara, California.
Background

This new Gulf Ecosystem Initiative is a partnership between the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and The NOAA RESTORE Science Program designed to engage the Gulf of Mexico research community to tackle pressing scientific and societal challenges focused around three emerging research themes: fisheries; climate change; and the ecological impact of management actions.

Located at NCEAS, this postdoc position will offer you opportunities to participate in the research of one or more funded working groups currently being solicited (to be awarded by May 2023). You will split your time between supporting and collaborating with one or more working groups and developing your own independent synthesis project focused on a specific challenge facing the Gulf of Mexico. This position will give you significant opportunities to maximize the impact of your research and to work at the interface of ecological synthesis science and applied management solutions. You will be part of an initial cohort of two postdocs, and joined by a growing community of post-docs selected in following years.

Your proposed independent research project should focus on leveraging and reusing existing data to develop synthesis products around one or more of the initiative’s three key research themes: fisheries; climate change, and the ecological impact of management actions. Within the fisheries theme, research should be aimed at utilizing the wealth of long-term fisheries and environmental datasets available across the Gulf to elucidate linkages between various fisheries and related ecological and social drivers. Climate change focused activities are expected to leverage large climate data sets as well as downscaled climate models to analyze climate change impacts in the Gulf and produce an ecosystem perspective that can inform future management and policy responses. And the ecological impact of management action-focused research should address a previous, recurring, or ongoing management action occurring in the Gulf and produce greater understanding around the system-wide impacts of those actions. Coproduction of synthesis products with working groups, practitioners, and stakeholders across the Gulf of Mexico is highly encouraged.
Duties and Responsibilities

Research related to the Gulf of Mexico synthesis working groups (50% time)

• This postdoctoral researcher will participate in the work of one or more Gulf of Mexico synthesis working groups, as appropriate based on experience and interest.

Independent research (50% of time)

• This postdoctoral researcher will be afforded significant time to pursue their own research interests, publish independent research in peer review journals, and attend scientific conferences.

Residency at NCEAS

NCEAS is located in scenic downtown Santa Barbara, California. The Center is known for fostering interaction and collaboration, a characteristic that leads to the success of its scientists. NCEAS has a growing and thriving community of postdocs, resident scientists, and analysts, and a frequent influx of leading scientists and practitioners from around the world participating in working group projects across a diverse range of initiatives. NCEAS is also a leader in data science training, offering courses and expertise in reproducible workflows, data infrastructure, and environmental statistics. We expect that postdocs will contribute their knowledge, interests, and enthusiasm to the intellectual atmosphere. The postdoc should anticipate spending the vast majority of their time in residence at the Center and will have the opportunity to travel to relevant national and international events and conferences, with a special focus on meeting and networking opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico region. Relationship building with Gulf-based researchers will also be accelerated by opportunities for postdocs to establish a regionally-based research mentor from NOAA, BOEM, USFWS or other relevant agencies.

NCEAS is committed to improving diversity and inclusion in science. We value the diversity of expertise, backgrounds, needs, and experiences reflected among our residents, visitors, and broader communities. We are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender identity, parental status, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, citizenship status, and nationality. To see the steps we are taking to advance diversity and inclusion please see our full statement here: https://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/diversity-inclusion.

The department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/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 status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health
directives may impose additional requirements.