Position Description

Academic Job Description

Department of Natural Resources and the Environment

Postdoctoral Associate 

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Position Function

This position requires a scientist with experience in fisheries and hydroacoustics surveys. The individual will use available and new data collected with active acoustics (sonar) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Hydroacoustics is used worldwide in both marine and freshwater environments to estimate distribution and abundance of fish and larger invertebrates, and Cornell is at the forefront of the application of these methods in lakes. We are now collecting data with automated systems using uncrewed drones that provide unprecedented data on fish and invertebrates in the Great Lakes. The individual we seek will work within an interactive research group consisting of Cornell and agency scientists. Specifically, the individual will:

1) Analyze acoustic data with existing software (Echoview, R, Python).

2) Collaborate with USGS scientists on field data collections.

3) Investigate the spatial patterns of fish and invertebrates in the Great Lakes.

4) Present results at scientific meetings and to regional management groups and publish in the primary scientific literature.

Anticipated Division of Time

40%  Analyze acoustic data with existing software.

20%  Collaborate with USGS scientists on field data collections.

20%  Investigate the spatial patterns.

20%  Present at scientific meetings and publish in the primary scientific literature.

Requirements

Ph.D. in fisheries, ecology, marine biology, bioinformatics, limnology or related fields.

Strong quantitative background: ability to deal with large datasets using computational methods, proficiency in R or other applicable software packages, ability to develop scripts for R and Echoview, and statistical modeling.

Interest in fisheries, fisheries acoustics, aquatic ecology, and spatial ecology.

Evidence of ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.

Supervision Exercised

The individual is not expected to supervise others.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30990

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this title is University minimum to $65000.