Quantitative Ecology Postdoctoral Scholar Position

The Marine Science Institute at the University of California Santa Barbara seeks a
quantitative ecologist for a post-doctoral research position with a focus
on biodiversity.  The candidate will work closely with UCSB PIs on
estimating, monitoring, and modeling biodiversity across multiple spatial
scales. Key research questions will include: 1) How can data from diverse
sources can be combined to estimate biodiversity?  2) How does uncertainty
in estimates of biodiversity depend on the types of sampling chosen?  3)
How can local observations be combined with physical covariates and remote
sensing data to obtain regional inferences about biodiversity?

The position will be part of the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network
project, funded by NASA, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The MBON is an
interdisciplinary project involving scientists from UCSB, the United States
Geological Survey, NOAA, the National Marine Fisheries Service and UC San
Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This five-year project aims to
track the diversity of a broad range of marine organisms in the Santa
Barbara Channel. The project benefits from extensive existing data about
the biological and physical conditions in the region which will be
integrated over large spatial scales using geostatistical models and remote
sensing.  This integration will be supported by new genetic and imaging
techniques for observing marine biodiversity, also being developed by the
project. In addition, mathematical models will be developed to examine the
value of information on biodiversity in making management decisions, and to
explore optimal allocation of resources across different methods of
sampling.

The candidate should have training in the fields of quantitative ecology
and expertise in spatial statistics or geostatistics (a PhD in quantitative
ecology, statistics or related field is required) and strong skills in
advanced statistical modeling, computational analysis, and scientific
programming. An ideal candidate will have experience with quantification of
multivariate spatial heterogeneity, change of support, spatial regression
models, geostatistical prediction and simulation, and spatial sampling
design. The ability to handle large amounts of data in a GIS environment is
also an important qualification. The candidate will be expected to lead a
portion of the research, in collaboration with the MBON team, including
UCSB PIs Phaedon Kyriakidis, Bob Miller, Andrew Rassweiler and David
Siegel.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and proven
capacity to publish in peer-reviewed journals are requirements.

Initial appointment will be for one year, with anticipated funding for
three or more years, conditional upon performance, and UCSB offers
competitive salary and benefits packages.  Screening of applications will
begin December 1, 2014 with an anticipated start in winter or spring of
2015, but the position will be open until filled. For further information,
please contact Dr. Phaedon Kyriakidis at phaedon@geog.ucsb.edu or Dr.
Andrew Rassweiler at andrew.rassweiler@lifesci.ucsb.edu. Send applications
including cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, and contact information for three
references to:

https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/apply/JPF00414

The department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to
the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research,
teaching and service. The University of California is an Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by
law including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Robert J. Miller
Marine Science Institute
University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara CA 93109-6150

rjmiller1@gmail.com