Thank you for your interest in joining the Oceans Initiative team. We are currently accepting applications for the following position:
Post Doc in Quantitative Ecology
Position Summary
Oceans Initiative’s Post Doc in Quantitative Ecology will apply expertise in modeling, statistics, and data analysis to advance our nonprofit mission to protect marine life and the ecosystems on which they depend, and to share our innovative science to guide conservation action. We are committed to protecting biodiversity in the face of climate change and other threats. Reporting to Oceans Initiative’s Chief Scientist, the individual will work with a team of biologists conducting world-class, innovative research on topics related to whale conservation, natural resource management, ocean noise, sustainable fisheries, marine protected areas, climate change, and protecting marine biodiversity. This position engages in quantitative work that is relevant to natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. Oceans Initiative operates a “training-while-doing” environment, so the ideal candidate is one who enjoys working in teams, teaching, and is committed to integrity, transparency, and reproducibility in science.
Primary Responsibilities
- The Post Doc in Quantitative Ecology will build upon their proven track record of owning research projects from start to finish—from generation of ideas, writing successful grant proposals, designing studies, collecting data, analyzing data and reporting results, writing and publishing peer-reviewed papers, and finally, taking results into sometimes contentious settings where science is used to make conservation or natural resource management decisions.
- Supervise, provide direction to, and ensure the quality of work produced by a team of earlier career field technicians and research assistants/associates.
- As with any nonprofit role, possess sufficient project management skills to achieve research objectives within well-defined budgetary and timeline constraints.
- Provide statistical support and analyses for the organization’s research projects.
- Draft peer-reviewed papers, technical reports and other research products, and present results at stakeholder meetings and on webinars.
- Represent Oceans Initiative in a professional manner and work collaboratively with science colleagues, state and tribal government representatives, natural resource agencies, and marine conservation groups. Develop and maintain partnerships, collaborations, and other professional relationships.
- Write successful research proposals to agencies and foundations to support the organization’s conservation mission and as part of the nonprofit’s development culture.
- Engage in public outreach activities to communicate findings and to support and strengthen the broader Oceans Initiative community.
Qualifications
PhD in ecology, environmental sciences, oceanography, applied mathematics, statistics, or a related field. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:
- Expertise in quantitative ecology or biology, or a closely related field.
- Expertise in one or more ecological modeling tools (integrated population modeling, population viability analyses, mark-recapture statistics, structured decision making).
- Familiarity with approaches used to measure and monitor marine biodiversity (distance sampling, acoustic surveys, visual surveys, telemetry, photo-ID and other sources of mark-recapture data).
- Proficiency in at least one open-source programming language (R or python).
- Commitment to open science and tidy principles, such as code review and data sharing and meticulous with data wrangling, organization, and backup.
- Experience leading independent research projects, and a record of first-author publications in well-respected journals, commensurate with experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, both written and public speaking.
The Ideal Candidate
Oceans Initiative will provide the Post Doc in Quantitative Ecology with opportunities for first-authored and co-authored publications, learning and growth, and mentorship with obtaining research funds from foundations, government grants, and private donors. The ideal candidate will want to join us in the field occasionally, to become familiar with the way our studies are designed and data are collected, offer suggestions for improvement, become inspired to find projects they wish to lead, and draw inspiration from the wildlife and wilderness we work to protect. You will succeed in this role if:
- You can work independently, but know when to ask for help and enjoy helping others.
- You have strong leadership capabilities and enjoy mentoring ECRs and teaching skills development in a “training-while-doing” culture.
- You understand the importance of and excel at writing research proposals and communicating with funders about our findings.
- You are energized by writing and publishing papers with junior and senior scientists.
Given the organization’s focus on fieldwork, preference will be given to Seattle-based candidates, those close to Seattle, or willing to re-locate.
Salary and Benefits
The Post Doc in Quantitative Ecology is a full time, exempt position. The preferred start date for this position is January 2025. Thanks to generous support from The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, the position is funded for a three-year term, contingent on satisfactory annual performance reviews. The salary range for this position is $90,000-$95,000, based on qualifications and experience, with a generous benefits package including travel opportunities, flexible hours, professional development funds, health care, 401K, and paid time off.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter to Dr. Erin Ashe, Executive Director: erin@oceansinitiative.org
The application deadline is December 15, 2024, but applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Oceans Initiative is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.
