RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER 2 - ECOLOGY - UW Medicine : Job Details

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FIELD OF RESEARCH

The field of research is ecosystem sciences, including ecosystem-based fisheries management related to salmon. Salmon respond to bottom-up forcing through climate impacts on primary production, competition with forage fish, jellyfish, and important fishery targets such as hake and top-down forcing from marine mammals, sea birds, and piscivorous fish. Thus, salmon productivity can affect fisheries on forage fish, hake, rockfish, and sport fish, and other species of management concern, such as Southern Resident Killer Whales. Because salmon are at times in an intermediate trophic position, making its trophic interactions particularly complex, a better understanding of predator-prey dynamics within the California Current Ecosystem is needed for salmon.

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

The purpose of the research is to better capture marine processes related to salmon responses, predict related impacts from climate change, and explore scenarios of mitigation for management. One of the most important yet relatively understudied life stages of salmon is the marine life stage, which is related to smolt-to-adult-return survival, adult return abundance, and adult age structure. Although it is known that salmon are highly vulnerable to climate change and a warming ocean, associated bottom-up/top-down processes, species collocation, and spatiotemporal oceanography can be better understood and examined together to help assess mitigative options for increasing salmon adult returns.

Furthermore, because the ecosystem of salmon includes the freshwater system, carryover effects to the marine habitat are also important to include in their life cycle modeling. In this research, the position in collaboration with other researchers will focus on the Marine Model of salmon life cycle models and use approaches of models of intermediate complexity and structural equation models. Following model calibration and hindcasts, this position in collaboration with other researchers will explore salmon-specific and ecosystem-level responses to climate change within the California Current with Global Climate Models, Regional Ocean Modeling System, and species distribution models. Different nodes in the Marine Model can then be explored as potential levers for management aimed at increasing salmon adult returns in current conditions and with future climate scenarios. Overall, the Marine Model, with carryover effects from the freshwater life stage and inputs from the marine habitat, will be integrated into life cycle models in collaboration with other researchers and to compare salmon viability under a variety of scenarios of climate change and management actions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The position's major duties and responsibilities include:

1) designing quantitative methods with collaborators to answer questions related to the purpose of the research (see above), 2) conducting analytical models, 3) documenting the methods and models, 4) sharing documented code, 5) writing manuscript(s) for peer-reviewed scientific journal publication, 6) presenting research to peers and at regional conferences, and 7) collaborating with other researchers and managers to coordinate work with other projects of life cycle modeling.

Specific responsibilities include:

Research and Analysis

* Lead and collaborate with other researchers on designing research studies relevant to mechanistic, ecological, and ecosystem processes; climate change impacts; and management of natural resources, particularly salmon.

* Lead and collaborate with other researchers on formulating analytical methods. This includes providing expert consultation on data- and analysis-related issues and developing analytical models.

* Run models in a Bayesian framework, with relevant quantitative methods, such as integral projection models, structural equation models, and integrated population models, in R, Stan, and other relevant statistical software.

* Run hindcasts of models of salmon responses in the marine environment; and run sensitivity analyses with calibrated models and various climate and management scenarios.

* Interpret analytical outputs, synthesize findings, and draw conclusions on results with discussions about study assumptions and limitations, advancement of scientific theory, and feasibility and relevance to real-world application.

* Coordinate development and completion of models and submodels for integration with other modules of salmon life cycle modeling led by other researchers.

* Document versions of analytical models and research in progress.

* Prepare scripts in GitHub and finalize for publication.

Written and Visual Communication

* Lead and collaborate with other researchers on writing manuscript(s) for peer-reviewed scientific publication. This includes coordinating with multiple authors on preparing manuscript(s), assigning writing duties, and managing the drafting process.

* Write sections of methods for documentation and/or technical reports in coordination with other researchers.

* Create clear figures, tables, and diagrams of research findings for manuscript(s) and presentations.

Verbal Communication

* Effectively communicate to and hear questions/ideas from collaborators, project sponsors, practitioners, stakeholders, and rightsholders at meetings.

* Clearly communicate complex research objectives, data sets, methods, and findings to diverse audiences.

* Presenting research at regional and national scientific conferences.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Biometry or related field, and two years of ecological research experience or other relevant experience; OR Equivalent combination of education/experience.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

* Working knowledge and experience with R, Stan, or other relevant analytical software.

* Strong quantitative skills.

* Strong written and oral communication skills.

* Demonstrated ability to write manuscripts for peer-reviewed scientific journal publication.

* Experience with open science practices.

* Experience with Git/GitHub or other version control systems.

* Ability to work in a collaborative setting.

* Ability to establish and maintain positive, ethical, and professional interpersonal relationships.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Interest in supporting the scientific process leading to insights and understanding of natural resources and ecological processes to help with conservation, fishery management, research, and collaboration with communities.

* At least three years of research experience in quantitative ecology of salmon in the marine environment.

* A Master's degree or Ph.D. degree in Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, Biometry, Data Science or a related field.

* Experience with analytical methods related to food web dynamics, survival, ecosystems, climate change and management.

* Demonstrated ability to work independently, stay organized, and execute logical judgement.

* Demonstrated ability to conduct Bayesian methods.

* Demonstrates an inquisitive mind to learn quickly and innovate collaboratively.

* Outstanding interpersonal skills, including team ethic and relationship building.

* Ability to establish and maintain positive, ethical, and professional working relationships with other professional contacts and practitioners from a wide variety of backgrounds in the region-including members of racial, ethnic, and sexual minority populations-and be respectful of individual and cultural differences.

The position is currently funded for 2.5 years (or 30 months); the position may be extended beyond 2.5 years based on availability of funding.

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select Apply to this position . Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you log into your My Jobs page. If you choose to take it later, it will appear on your My Jobs page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-###-#### or [email protected].

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under