Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Michigan, USA)

The School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) is seeking a post-doctoral research fellow to fill a full-time, one-year position beginning May 1, 2014 to assist in the development of spatial analyses that portray and synthesize patterns of environmental stressors and ecosystem services in the Laurentian Great Lakes. See greatlakesmapping.org for an introduction to current work.=A0 SNRE’s mission is to contribute to the protection of the Earth’s resources and the achievement of a sustainable society.

DUTIES:
* Perform statistical analyses on data to screen for outliers, search for relationships by correlation analysis and reduce the total number of variables by techniques such as ordination.
* Synthesize data and construct statistical models to predict the spatial distribution of environmental threats such as nutrient runoff, nuisance algal blooms, etc. using multivariate techniques.
* Construct maps within ArcGIS or equivalent to depict the spatial distribution of environmental stressors and ecosystem services using geostatistical techniques.
* Interact with other team members based at the University of Michigan and elsewhere in the region. Provide documentation and written summaries of all work carried out.
* Provide day-to-day management of project activities, including planning workshops and leading correspondence with team members and other experts.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:
- Ph.D. in ecology, natural resources, or related fields with substantial graduate-level course work in statistics and GIS, or equivalent work experience.
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
- Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and accuracy.
- Excellent interpersonal skills for interaction with both senior and junior colleagues.
- The ability to work individually and as part of a team to meet deadlines in a multi-tasking environment.
- Good computing skills in Windows environment, including ArcGIS or open-source equivalent.
- Well-developed quantitative skills for developing and synthesizing spatial data.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Advanced training and/or experience in GIS.
- Experience in data processing, statistical analysis, and programming. Prior experience in expert elicitation.
- Prior research experience, including evidence of project completion and publication in the peer-reviewed literature.
- Familiarity with Great Lakes restoration and conservation issues and aquatic ecosystem management.

BENEFITS:
- Pay will be commensurate with experience and will include an excellent benefits package.
- Funding is available for one year, with the possibility of extension pending performance and continued funding.
- The selected candidate will report to Professor David Allan, lead-PI of the project.

This position will be very rewarding for a candidate who enjoys mixing individual leadership and teamwork in the context of quantitative analysis.
- The project combines scientific rigor with a broad vision for guiding on-the-ground management of the Great Lakes, thereby providing professional development in both basic and applied science.
- The selected candidate will have the opportunity to lead-author at least one manuscript from the project, and to be closely involved in developing a suite of products to disseminate project results (scientific papers, website, pamphlets).

Position requires full-time residence in Ann Arbor, based in the School of Natural Resources & Environment at the University of Michigan.
- Ann Arbor is a mid-sized city (110,000 residents) renowned for high quality of life.
- It is an easy drive from the other major cities of southern Michigan, including Detroit (30 minute drive).
- The Detroit airport is a major hub for air traffic, and is 25 minutes away.
- Ann Arbor offers a four-season climate, abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, a variety of entertainment options, and substantial cultural diversity.
- The University of Michigan is one of the top public research universities in the country, and the School of Natural Resources & Environment is a leader in innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to conservation and restoration.

To apply for the position, please submit a detailed letter of application, names and contact information for two references, and a curriculum vitae to the University of Michigan careers website at http://umjobs.org/, reference job posting number 92227.

Review of applications will begin on 1 April 2014.
- Questions about this position are welcomed.
- Please address questions to Dr. David Allan, dallan@umich.edu.

The University of Michigan, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action.