Job posting Post-doctoral research associate - Modeling of ecological systems and optimal decision- making for management
The Oleson lab at the University of Hawaii Manoa (olesonlab.org) seeks a strong quantitative modeler to join our group. We integrate a broad range of quantitative and qualitative methods, including environmental and ecological modeling, environmental economics, and decision analysis to support ridge-to-reef decision-making in the Hawaiian islands and broader Pacific. This project seeks to build a spatially explicit, probabilistic model to guide watershed-scale, multi-objective, and long-term decision-making. Specifically, the model will evaluate the performance outcomes of various potential management actions that might be taken across the watersheds to mitigate stressors. Performance outcomes may be physical (e.g., sediment loads), ecological (e.g., reef state), or economic (e.g., ecosystem services); actions may be site- and stressor-specific (e.g., best management practices to reduce erosion) or broad policy (e.g., zoning); and, stressors may range across the land (e.g., land-based source pollution) and coast (e.g., fishing). The model will be used to inform a real-world planning process for a 50-year time horizon. As such, the model should link biophysical, socio- economic, and ecological dynamic systems from ridge to reef across a long time horizon. Duties The post-doc will be responsible for: • building a probabilistic model to support on-going efforts to identify the best long- term land and coastal management options for rapidly developing coastal areas in west Maui, Hawaii, where land-based source pollution and coastal use threaten coral reefs and the ecosystem services they provide • parameterizing the model with expert opinion, data, etc., evaluating its performance against observed data, and updating the model as needed • conducting sensitivity analyses to elucidate relationships between model parameters and conditions of concern at appropriate spatial and temporal scales • documenting the model, managing all data, and ushering the model certification process • liaising with partners, including the US Army Corps of Engineers, the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative, local and disciplinary experts, and communities • supporting the management process by evaluating the performance of alternative management actions and displaying/conveying the information in accessible ways • producing peer-reviewed publications, community outreach, and other dissemination materials • creating and maintaining a project website • grant administration, including grant reports, etc. and other miscellaneous lab administrative needs • mentoring and guiding graduate students Minimum qualifications • PhD in a relevant field (ecology, natural resource management, hydrology, environmental economics, applied mathematics, or related) • Experience in building mathematical models to solve conservation and/or resource management problems • Solid knowledge of GIS • Exceptional reasoning and analytical skills • Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to work in teams • Ability to work independently Desirable qualifications • Experience with probabilistic modeling • Experience in spatial analysis and modeling • Knowledge of terrestrial and coastal processes and modeling • Experience with coding and modeling programs such as R, Matlab, Netica, Vensim, STELLA, etc. • Knowledge of resource management issues in Hawaii and the Pacific • Experience mentoring students Position details The position starts as soon as possible, and pays a stipend of $55-65,000 per annum (depending on qualifications), including reimbursement for healthcare (to be purchased separately by candidate). The position is full-time for one year, and may be renewed for a second year based on performance and funding. The post-doc will be integrated into a fun, interdisciplinary research group on the lovely Manoa campus (located in Honolulu, HI on the island of Oahu). The post-doc will build on the lab’s previous and on-going research. Application process Interested candidates should send a short cover letter (by email) outlining research interests, motivation, and modeling experience, together with a CV and academic transcript to kole...@hawaii.edu by September 10, 2015.
