Job Description
Researchers at the University of Washington and collaborators at the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) in Seattle seek a post-doctoral researcher to help with the development and/or application of statistical methods for using environmental DNA (eDNA) data for quantitative conservation and fisheries applications.
The PIs have access to a large number of eDNA samples collected from nearshore open ocean habitats along the US west coast that are relevant to a wide range of both fish and marine mammal species and are seeking a researcher interested in using these samples to understand the distribution and abundance of marine resources.
Past research has focused on applying eDNA data to inform management-relevant questions. Examples include, estimating abundance of salmon and Pacific hake from eDNA using qPCR approaches (e.g. Shelton et al. 2019, 2022a), the structure of nearshore marine communities from metabarcoding (e.g. O’Donnell et al. 2017, Kelly et al. 2017), and advancing the development of eDNA metabarcoding methods for ecological assessment (Kelly et al. 2019, Shelton et al. 2023).
We are interested in a researcher that will extend any of these projects or develop new areas of potential application with eDNA data. Particular areas of interest are: 1) using eDNA to understand trophic relationships (e.g. distribution and abundance of predators and prey such as hake and krill or whales and forage fish); 2) using eDNA to understand the composition and distribution of bycatch in the ocean; 3) the development of statistical methods to combine information from eDNA with more traditional survey data (e.g. net-based or acoustic surveys).
Responsibilities
This Postdoctoral Scholar position will focus primarily on modeling and analysis, not the generation of new eDNA data. We encourage researchers with quantitative background in ecology, fisheries, eDNA, or conservation biology to apply. We expect candidates to contribute to our team through the collaboration and consultation with other researchers. No prior experience with eDNA data is required, though basic familiarity with the practical aspects of eDNA data production would be helpful.
The base salary range for this position will be $6,500 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
This position is a full time, 100% FTE position. This is an off-campus, in-person position; the successful candidate will work in Seattle at NWFSC. The post-doc will be supervised by Dr. Ryan Kelly (University of Washington) and will primarily collaborate with Dr. A. Ole Shelton, Dr. Krista Nichols, and Dr. Kim Parsons (all at NWFSC, NOAA).
The anticipated start date for this position is March 1, 2025. The initial appointment period is 12 months, but likely extendable, funding permitting. University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five year/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience.
Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
Please contact ole.shelton@noaa.gov or rpkelly@uw.edu for more information about this position.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
Desired Requirements