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Postdoc, Physical-Biological Interactions

Employer
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Location
Moss Landing, California
Salary
First year – $70,000 annually Second year – $73,500 annually
Closing date
Dec 21, 2024
View more categoriesView less categories
Discipline
Life Sciences, Environmental Science
Position Type
Full Time
Job Type
Postdoc
Organization Type
Govt.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

 

Postdoc, Physical-Biological Interactions

 

MBARI’s mission is to advance marine science and engineering to understand our changing

ocean. Our work focuses on diverse areas of marine and engineering research—from atoms to

ecosystems. MBARI is dedicated to the development of innovative instrumentation, systems,

and methods supporting scientific research in the oceans. Teams of scientists and engineers are

collaborating to build innovative tools to transform what we know about ocean processes and

ocean health. Ongoing programs at MBARI span marine robotics, ocean physics, chemistry,

geology, biology, and engineering.

 

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work with Monique Messié at MBARI in collaboration with Adrian Marchetti and Harvey Seim (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Diego Figueroa (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley). The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to a project funded by the National Science Foundation that investigates the influence of nutrient supply by different physical processes (upwelling, island mass effect, internal tides) on functional biodiversity of marine plankton in the Galápagos Archipelago. The postdoc will utilize data collected as part of an upcoming cruise and by a wirewalker profiler system. The goal is to parameterize a simple plankton model forced by time series of nutrient delivery representative of the three physical modes at play, and use it to test if bottom-up control can explain observed phytoplankton biodiversity and temporal variability.

 

This postdoctoral project involves both data analysis (i.e., use wirewalker data and other data sources to develop time series of nutrient injection characteristic of each physical process) and simple modeling (1-dimension NPZ-type model). The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in physical-biological interactions, phytoplankton ecology, data analysis, and testing hypotheses using simple models. The project will be in close collaboration with the team at the University of North Carolina, and will involve travel to Chapel Hill, NC and to the Galápagos Archipelago.

 

Duration: 2 years

Start date: Flexible, ideally summer/fall 2025. A summer start date may allow participation on a 3-week scientific cruise in the Galápagos Archipelago.

 

Required qualifications:

• PhD must be awarded by start date

• Strong problem-solving skills and scientific integrity

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of collaborative teams

• Excellent programming skills in Matlab or Python

• Curiosity about how physics drive plankton biogeochemistry and ecology in the ocean

• Excellent communication skills as demonstrated by prior publications and presentations

 

Desirable skills and experience:

• Previous experience with NPZ-type models

• Good understanding of physical processes such as upwelling, island mass effect, and/or internal tides

• Previous experience working with large ocean data sets including in situ observations, satellite data, and/or oceanographic model output

 

This postdoc fellow will be mentored by Monique Messié, PhD. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact her with questions or for additional information about the position (monique@mbari.org).

 

Ready to apply?

Job Code:

Postdoc, Physical-Biological Interactions

 

Applicants should send a current curriculum vitae, a cover letter explaining how this opportunity matches your career goals, and a list of 3 professional references, including name, email address, and phone number to jobs@mbari.org or by mail to the below address.

 

MBARI

Jessica Chapman

Job Code: Postdoc, Physical-Biological Interactions

7700 Sandholdt Road

Moss Landing, CA 95039

 

Pay range:

First year – $70,000 annually

Second year – $73,500 annually

 

Postdoctoral fellows are eligible for paid time off for sick, vacation, and holiday leave. In addition, this fellowship is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and disability benefits.

 

MBARI is a non-profit, private oceanographic research institute, and an equal opportunity employer. MBARI considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, disability, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local laws.

 

MBARI Welcomes Diversity

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