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Senior Postdoctoral Associate / Research Scientist, Stony Brook University

Salary: $57,000-$80,000

Senior Postdoctoral Associate

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in marine science, fisheries science, quantitative ecology, or related field. Three (3) years of full-time related research experience, including at least two (2) years of research experience following attainment of a Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent). Experience leading or participating in fisheries sampling or other aquatic fieldwork. Experience in performing analytical techniques and methodologies in the field of molecular genetics. Experience managing and analyzing large and complex datasets, posing and testing hypotheses, performing statistical analyses, and synthesizing information for use in broader contexts. Demonstrated authorship on peer-reviewed publications.

Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of, and experience with, environmental DNA (eDNA) in marine or aquatic environments. Publications in the area of eDNA in marine or aquatic environments. Experience in the use of statistics and statistical packages. Experience in use of programming languages such as R or Python. Experience with eDNA metabarcoding and bioinformatics. Knowledge of Mid-Atlantic marine species, and the ability to visually identify them. Experience in fish identification. Experience operating a small watercraft. Experience successfully communicating with varied audiences including presenting at professional and public events and to donors.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Institute for Ocean Conservation Science (IOCS) at Stony Brook University is seeking to hire a Senior Postdoctoral Associate to participate in the execution and analysis of innovative ecosystem assessments in and beyond Shinnecock Bay, NY in the context of a long running (12+ year) time series of assessment and restoration efforts. Data collected previously and over the course of the next several years will provide a comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity, composition, abundance, and spatial distribution of species throughout the bay and both inside and outside restoration areas. Prior research has employed eDNA assessment (4 years) and a trawl survey (11 years). Over the next several years we will expand our eDNA research and incorporate the use of un-crewed maritime systems (UMSs) equipped with a variety of sensors to enable more comprehensive and automated ecosystem assessment including biodiversity, abundance, habitat type and extent, water quality and other environmental data. The incumbent will join a multidisciplinary team of researchers who have been studying the bay together for more than a decade, and whose work has resulted in major restoration of Shinnecock Bay. The success of the restoration was a major factor in Shinnecock Bay’s designation as a globally recognized Hope Spot by the organization Mission Blue led by Dr. Sylvia Earle. The candidate will join a team with a strong track record of producing groundbreaking publications that have high citation rates and real world impact. This position represents a unique opportunity for an early career scientist to learn, contribute, manage, network, build a publication record. The position is housed within Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) and is funded through the Research Foundation of SUNY.

The candidate must be proficient and comfortable preparing for and leading six trawls per summer including a small crew of graduate students and volunteers. The candidate must also be proficient and comfortable leading eDNA water sample collection via a small vessel, managing filtration and extraction in the laboratory, conducting bioinformatic analysis, and producing graphic and written results. The successful incumbent will have excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently with minimal supervision at times, foresight and good judgment, working well within a team and as a leader, and an ability to troubleshoot issues in the field and during analysis. The candidate must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced work environment during certain times of the year when deadlines are imminent. The candidate is expected to contribute as a thought leader, work well with other researchers associated with the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program, and be willing to participate in broader efforts that support Shinnecock Bay as a globally recognized Hope Spot.

Senior Postdoctoral Associate duties will include:

  • Conduct analysis and produce scientific results with large datasets.
  • Produce comprehensive written materials for donor reports and peer reviewed publications.
  • Conduct fieldwork preparation and associated lab work.
  • Write proposals for external support.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Special Notes: Remote work will be permitted, but the candidate must be based in the Stony Brook or Southampton, NY, area for frequent fieldwork, lab work, and meetings.

Research Scientist

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in marine science, fisheries science, quantitative ecology, or related field. Three (3) years of full-time related research experience, including at least two (2) years of research experience following attainment of a Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent). Experience leading or participating in fisheries sampling or other aquatic fieldwork. Experience in performing analytical techniques and methodologies in the field of molecular genetics. Experience managing and analyzing large and complex datasets, posing and testing hypotheses, performing statistical analyses, and synthesizing information for use in broader contexts. Demonstrated authorship on peer-reviewed publications. Leadership experience in leading scientific projects, in either training or supervisory roles.

Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of, and experience with, environmental DNA (eDNA) in marine or aquatic environments. Publications in the area of eDNA in marine or aquatic environments. Experience in the use of statistics and statistical packages. Experience in use of programming languages such as R or Python. Experience with eDNA metabarcoding and bioinformatics. Knowledge of Mid-Atlantic marine species, and the ability to visually identify them. Experience in fish identification. Experience operating a small watercraft. Experience successfully communicating with varied audiences including presenting at professional and public events and to donors. Experience with grant proposal writing and / or fundraising.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Institute for Ocean Conservation Science (IOCS) at Stony Brook University is seeking to hire a Research Scientist to lead the execution and analysis of innovative ecosystem assessments in and beyond Shinnecock Bay, NY in the context of a long running (12+ year) time series of assessment and restoration efforts. Data collected previously and over the course of the next several years will provide a comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity, composition, abundance, and spatial distribution of species throughout the bay and both inside and outside restoration areas. Prior research has employed eDNA assessment (4 years) and a trawl survey (11 years). Over the next several years we will expand our eDNA research and incorporate the use of un-crewed maritime systems (UMSs) equipped with a variety of sensors to enable more comprehensive and automated ecosystem assessment including biodiversity, abundance, habitat type and extent, water quality and other environmental data. The incumbent will join a multidisciplinary team of researchers who have been studying the bay together for more than a decade, and whose work has resulted in major restoration of Shinnecock Bay. The success of the restoration was a major factor in Shinnecock Bay’s designation as a globally recognized Hope Spot by the organization Mission Blue led by Dr. Sylvia Earle. The candidate will join a team with a strong track record of producing groundbreaking publications that have high citation rates and real world impact. This position represents a unique opportunity for an early career scientist to learn, contribute, manage, network, build a publication record. The position is housed within Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) and is funded through the Research Foundation of SUNY.

The candidate must be proficient and comfortable preparing for and leading six trawls per summer including a small crew of graduate students and volunteers. The candidate must also be proficient and comfortable leading eDNA water sample collection via a small vessel, managing filtration and extraction in the laboratory, conducting bioinformatic analysis, and producing graphic and written results. The successful incumbent will have excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently with minimal supervision at times, foresight and good judgment, working well within a team and as a leader, and an ability to troubleshoot issues in the field and during analysis. The candidate must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced work environment during certain times of the year when deadlines are imminent. The candidate is expected to contribute as a thought leader, work well with other researchers associated with the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program, and be willing to participate in broader efforts that support Shinnecock Bay as a globally recognized Hope Spot.

Research Scientist duties will include:

  • Conduct analysis of large datasets and produce scientific results.
  • Lead in the preparation and execution of fieldwork and associated lab work.
  • Oversee the training, supervision, and evaluation of projects and team members including any postdoctoral associates, research support positions, students, and volunteers as appropriate.
  • Produce comprehensive written materials for donor reports and peer reviewed publications.
  • Write proposals for external support.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Special Notes:
The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

Remote work will be permitted, but the candidate must be based in the Stony Brook or Southampton, NY, area for frequent fieldwork, lab work, and meetings.

Visit The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to learn more about our postdoctoral community.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA.

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The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Contact Information

Ellen Pikitch
ellen.pikitch@stonybrook.edu
nahar.16@osu.edu

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