The Buzzards Bay Coalition, in partnerhsip with the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) is inviting applications for a Brenninkmeyer Postdoctoral Fellow focused on water quality. The position is expected to be a 2.5 year joint appointment with co-mentors Dr. Christopher Neill (Woodwell Climate) and Dr. Rachel Jakuba (BBC).
The Brenninkmeyer Postdoctoral Fellow will support an NSF-funded project that explores how the transition from monitoring water quality with traditional grab sampling to monitoring with continuously-recording sensors influences understanding of water quality, the uses of water quality data, and the engagement of citizen volunteer monitors.
Roles/Responsibilities
- Analyze water quality data to determine trends and drivers of estuarine condition
- Design and oversee field deployment of continuously-recording sensors in multiple estuaries
- Compare findings from continuous sensors with long-term water quality record and devise new metrics and thresholds for characterizing estuarine health and condition
- Lead manuscript preparation and publication
- Prepare data for use in surveys and focus groups to test how different people within watersheds perceive and use continuous compared with traditional water quality data
- Participate in focus groups with citizens and regulators
- Present results at relevant conferences and meetings
- Organize national workshops to examine the dynamics of transitions from traditional to automated water quality data collection
- Work closely with a team of ecological and social scientists to explain patterns and drivers of water quality, and the dynamics of the advantages and challenges of more automated water quality data collection, to broad audiences.
Eligibility
- Ph.D. (granted or expected by December 2023) in Earth System Science, Environmental Sciences, Ecology, Geography, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, or a related discipline is required
- Research experience in aquatic ecosystems is required.
- Experience organizing and using climate and land use data preferred
- Ability to analyze ecological data and continuous data generated by dataloggers or environmental sensors
- Demonstrated record of publication in scientific journals
- Ability to work as a member of a highly collaborative team, work across disciplines
- Interest in contributing to broader science, communication, and policy goals.
Requirements
- Ability to tolerate sustained periods of standing or sitting
- Ability to communicate
- Ability to drive to local research sites
- Ability to bend, kneel and work from small boats
- Ability to use phone and computers
- Repetitive movements
- Air, train, vehicle travel to attend meetings and/or events.
Application Details
- A cover letter
- A complete curriculum vitae
- Names/contact information of three potential recommendation letter
The complete application should be sent to Rachel Jakuba, Vice President for Bay Science or Anita Milman (am*****@um***.edu).
