Estuaries are a vital natural resource that provide valuable ecosystem services, natural defenses from hydrodynamic forcing, and community recreational space. Unfortunately, wetlands are continuously degrading in the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay Estuaries, which is predicted to continue due to the increased frequency and severity of storms and sea level rise. As part of a project led evaluating aquatic community responses to loving shoreline designs, we are seeking a Post-Doctoral Researcher to engage in research that examines the recruitment, growth, and survival of Eastern Oysters at a series of locations, as well as ecosystem services provided to the juvenile fish and motile invertebrate communities.

Responsibilities:

1. Lead field-based examination of Eastern Oyster growth, survival and recruitment.
2. Examine the affect of aquaculture installments on juvenile fish and motile invertebrate communities.
3. Collect abiotic data including but not limited to temperature, salinity, substrate, site morphology, wind patterns
4. Analyze the affect of abiotic conditions on growth, survival, recruitment and aquatic communities in general.
5. Generate a monitoring plan for evaluating a Living Shoreline Monitoring Framework based on a synthesis of available literature, and survey collections.
6. Write papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and reports/fact sheets/blog posts for general audiences to promote significant research findings.
7. Maintain and build ties to academic communities and other stakeholder groups, through outreach, presentations at workshops and conferences, informal contacts, etc.

Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in Oceanography, Marine Biology, Fisheries Science or related field with an interest in working on an applied research project in the Mid-Atlantic region
2. Skills in advanced statistical programming and spatial analyses using large data sets (e.g. R, Python, Matlab, ArcGIS, etc.)
3. Knowledge of Eastern Oyster and relevant literature with trends in the commercial exploitation and ecological function of this species
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills
5. Ability to co-lead a diverse group of scientists in field-based data collections, survey work and advanced data analyses

Location:

The researcher will be based in University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, School of Marine Science & Policy, High R. Sharp campus in Lewes, DE 19958, USA. However, remote work from another location may be possible outside of field-based surveying activities.

Application Materials

Candidates should upload a letter of interest, CV, relevant publications and contact information for at least three references. For questions regarding the position, please email Dr. Ed Hale at ehale@udel.edu.