Recruit

Dr. Alexa Fredston in the Department of Ocean Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position of Postdoctoral Scholar in Quantitative Marine Ecology.

The Fredston Lab uses large datasets and theoretical models to predict marine ecological responses to global change. The lab currently has two main themes: ecological forecasting (which focuses on modeling processes) and empirical biogeography (which focuses on explaining patterns).

The ecological forecasting theme includes the development and application of process-based “dynamic range models” for predicting near-term range shifts in marine species and testing fundamental drivers of range dynamics (see: https://youtu.be/B4aVoyzUWCI, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16371).

The empirical biogeography theme uses large-scale historical datasets and a variety of tools (e.g., machine learning, eDNA) to understand why species’ ranges and range edges are where they are (see: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15614, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15035), and how global change is reshaping populations, communities, and ecosystems (see: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.160755111, https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.13597).

While Dr. Fredston’s work has primarily used data on temperate fishes to date, she has broad interests in all marine taxa and systems.

This two-year postdoc position is funded by Dr. Fredston’s startup funds at UCSC, and thus represents a uniquely open-ended opportunity for the successful candidate to co-develop novel and independent research projects. The postdoc will also have opportunities to write grants, participate in working groups, join collaborations, engage with natural resource managers and conservation practitioners, and work with graduate and undergraduate students. The postdoc will have a primary research project such as:

1. Field-testing dynamic range models in new geographies and settings—for example, adapting dynamic range models for the California Current, incorporating multiple data streams to improve forecast fits and accuracy, or using projected oceanographic conditions to develop future forecasting systems.
2. Advancing the theory of dynamic range models—adding new processes (e.g., species interactions, oxygen limitation, local adaptation, stage-specific habitat use), exploring how they affect range shifts through simulation, and testing whether they help explain real data.
3. Simulating whether biogeographic boundaries will act as barriers to range shifts—building spatial population models for a range of life histories that explore whether biogeographic boundaries that impede larval dispersal would prevent climate tracking.
4. Exploring range edge dynamics in the Anthropocene—developing statistical methods to detect range edge positions in survey data and applying them to large-scale ocean biodiversity datasets to characterize recent range edge shifts.

The ideal candidate for this position will leverage their quantitative skill set and ecological expertise to lead exciting and novel research in marine biogeography, population ecology, or community ecology. The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following qualities:

• Have expertise in theoretical and/or quantitative biology or ecology, or a closely related field.
• Have experience with one or more modeling approaches commonly used in ecology, such as: population modeling, spatio-temporal modeling, individual-based modeling, integral projection modeling, species distribution modeling, Bayesian hierarchical modeling, dynamic occupancy modeling, structural equation modeling, empirical dynamic modeling, and/or network modeling.
• Have familiarity with some form(s) of data and observations available for monitoring marine biodiversity, e.g., trawl surveys, acoustic surveys, visual surveys, tagging data, mark-recapture data, and eDNA.
• Be proficient in at least one open-source programming language, such as R or python.
• Have experience using version control software and platforms such as Git and GitHub.
• Be committed to open science principles, such as code review and data sharing.
• Have taken advanced courses in modeling, statistics, and data analysis.
• Have excellent communication skills.
• Have experience leading independent research projects, and a record of first-author publications (commensurate with experience) in related topics.
• Be excited about doing highly quantitative work that is relevant to natural resource management and biodiversity conservation.
• Contribute to a supportive and inclusive professional culture in the Fredston Lab.

Candidates who possess some but not all of the above areas of expertise are still encouraged to apply.

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, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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