Postdoctoral position in Freshwater Bioassessment Using DNA Methods - Military Veterans

The Department of Biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth MN, in collaboration with the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division of the US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth MN, has an opening for a postdoctoral research associate. We seek a candidate with strong data analysis and writing skills and an interest in analyzing patterns in aquatic fauna biogeography and biodiversity, especially in the context of aquatic invasive species monitoring and DNA-informed data. Via a cooperative training agreement between the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the successful candidate will join a team of ecologists (led by Drs. Anett Trebitz and Joel Hoffman) working towards the goals of developing biological monitoring approaches and aquatic invasive species early detection capacity in the Great Lakes region. Additional research opportunities and mentoring will be provided by a faculty mentor of the University of Minnesota, with the appropriate mentor(s) identified depending on the postdoctoral associate's interests. The postdoctoral candidate will divide their time between analysis and publication of existing data, and planning and conducting new field and laboratory studies aimed at biological assessments and DNA methods (e.g., eDNA, metabarcoding of biological samples) for various aquatic fauna. Potential areas of emphasis include bioassessment outcome analyses, developing or applying new statistical approaches towards optimizing invasive species early detection monitoring, and examining the capabilities and limitations of DNA-based vs. morphology-based data for assessment design and indicator development.

This is a full-time, 12-month position, with an anticipated funding period of at least two years (pending annual review and funding availability). This opportunity is supported through the Cooperative Training Partnership program between the University of Minnesota (UMN) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The selected candidate would be an employee of the University of Minnesota and would be expected to divide their time between the University of Minnesota (either the Duluth or Twin Cities campus) and the EPA facility in Duluth.

Job Duties

• Writing manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals (40%);
• Conducting statistical and geospatial analyses of biological data (40%);
• Conducting laboratory and field work related to biological assessment and DNA measurements (15%)
• Presenting research findings at conferences (5%)

• PhD in oceanography, limnology, aquatic ecology, or related field from a regionally-accredited college or university;
• Excellent record of scientific achievement as indicated by a publication record and extramural funding commensurate with time since PhD;
• OR a publication record of technical reports, patents or equivalent publications relevant to industry or government;
• Excellent science writing skills in the English language as demonstrated by application materials, PhD thesis, and/or published manuscripts and reports;
• Programming skills and/or multivariate and spatial statistics experience;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
• USA citizenship or permanent residency

• Experience with analyzing biodiversity and biogeography patterns using a variety of statistical techniques;
• Working knowledge of morphology-based and/or DNA-based methods for taxonomic identification
• Familiarity with freshwater North American aquatic fauna (e.g., plankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish), ideally from the Great Lakes and upper midwest region
• Excellent oral communication skills in the English language.