Coastal
William & Mary’s Virginia Institute of Marine Science/School of Marine Science (VIMS/SMS) invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate in Landscape Ecology. The position has a flexible start date to begin no later than Fall 2024.
Responsibilities: The purpose of this position is to conduct research on how coastal landscapes respond to sea level rise, with emphasis on how salt water intrusion impacts coastal forests, farmland, and salt marshes. The primary responsibility of the position is to use remote sensing, alongside long-term ecological and geomorphological monitoring data, to quantify landscape evolution in the mid-Atlantic sea-level rise hotspot as part of the NSF Coastal Critical Zone Network. However, the successful applicant will also develop independent research topics consistent with the goals of the applicant, the VIMS Coastal Ecogeomorphology Lab, and its broad group of collaborators and stakeholders. The position is in Dr. Matt Kirwan's lab at VIMS. Anticipated salary is approximately $50,000-55,000 depending on qualifications. VIMS postdocs are hired on one-year contracts with the possibility of renewal (project has at least 2 years of funding).
Qualifications: At the time of appointment, the successful candidate will hold an earned doctorate (Ph.D.) or equivalent in an environmental related discipline (e.g. geoscience, biology, environmental science, forestry). Required qualifications include a general knowledge of how ecosystems respond to global change, experience in GIS/remote sensing, a proven research background with strong writing ability, and experience in coastal wetlands, forests, or an analogous ecosystem. Preferred qualifications include expertise in some of the following: spatial analysis, cloud-based big data analysis, field and lab methods associated with coastal environments, numerical modeling, wetland migration into uplands, long-term ecological data, ecohydrology, and coupled human-natural systems including agriculture. For a complete list of required and preferred qualifications, please refer to the position description.
About the Virginia Institute of Marine Science: Chartered in 1940, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is currently among the largest marine research and education centers in the United States. VIMS has a three-part mission to conduct interdisciplinary research in coastal ocean and estuarine science, educate students and citizens, and provide advisory service to policy makers, industry, and the public. The School of Marine Science at VIMS is the graduate school in marine science for William & Mary, the second oldest university in the United States. VIMS currently employs 52 full-time faculty members and 256 staff, and has 80 graduate students in master’s and doctoral programs.
Application materials for the position should include: 1) a 1-page cover letter identifying availability for the position and addressing all required and preferred qualifications; 2) a full curriculum vitae; and 3) the names (including titles and institutions), e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of 3 professional references. Application materials should be addressed to: Search Committee Chair, Landscape Ecology, and will be accepted through our On-Line Application System https://jobs.wm.edu/postings/56899. Review of applications will begin December 1, 2023 but the position will remain open until filled.
William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. William & Mary conducts background checks on applicants for employment.