Research Foundation - Postdoctoral Associate - Quantitative Fish Population Ecology and Modeling

Location : Syracuse, NY Category : Research Foundation Posted On : Thu Apr 25 2024 Job Description :

Title : Postdoctoral Associate - Quantitative Fish Population Ecology and Modeling

Unit : Environmental Biology / Thousand Islands Biological Station

Salary : $58,000 annually, full time, excellent benefits

Appointment Duration : 1.5 years (with possibility for extension)

Location : Syracuse, NY and Thousand Islands Biological Station

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) www.esf.edu seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate with an interest and ability to work with fish population ecology data and modeling in the large river ecosystem of the St. Lawrence River and be part of a team focused on long-term studies, habitat restoration, and ecosystem management. This project is funded as part of the International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Adaptive Management (GLAM) Ecosystems Team, an international effort between the USA and Canada to expedite review of the current water levels management and improve and develop models for the benefit of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River ecosystem. Participate in our long-term aquatic research program at the Thousand Islands Biological Station (www.esf.edu / TIBS) during the field season and at the main ESF campus during the academic year. Position includes working with a multi-decadal dataset on fish populations, habitat, and abiotic data to inform and develop water management policy through improved models.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES : The position involves work with a substantial long-term and multifaceted dataset and associated field studies with ongoing data collection alongside undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and agency professionals in a collaborative team environment. This is an opportunity to participate in and develop research for impactful publications and management outcomes. Research involves restoring critical reproductive habitat of native freshwater predator fishes, with a focus on muskellunge, northern pike and the nearshore fish community as well as with wetland ecology and the populations of muskrats as key herbivores. Hydrology regulation, climate, with its related hypoxia and invasive species are key ingredients in these ecological dynamics. Innovative methods, including work with long-term field data sets from standardized seining, fyke netting, and fish emigration sampling, macrophytes, physical habitat, water temperature and dissolved oxygen will be used to further elucidate patterns and build process-based models. These models may be integrated with newly developed habitat layers, DEMs, hydrology, and climate prediction in an international collaboration for development of the broader Integrated Social, Economic, and Environmental System (ISEE) model with collaborating scientists at the Hydrodynamic and Ecohydraulic Section Environnement et Changement Climatique Canada / Environment and Climate Change Canada.

A significant aspect is to work with the development and management of the long-term database to increase its utility in ecological modeling and assist with development of future program planning. Individual may be onsite during spring and summer field season at the Thousand Islands Biological Station (TIBS) ,and on the main ESF campus during the academic year. Must have strong quantitative and data management and analytical skills in R, ArcGIS, spatial analysis and habitat modeling experience preferred. Most importantly, to be motivated and demonstrate an ability to work productively, independently and with a team.

Job Requirements :

Required Qualifications :

PhD degree in fisheries and / or aquatic ecology or closely related field

Previous field, data management and science involving fish and / or aquatic ecology

Extensive quantitative and analytical skills

Prior demonstrated scientific publication of independent research

Preferred Qualifications :

Knowledge and experience with Great Lakes nearshore and wetland ecology.

Demonstrated knowledge of aquatic sampling methods and experimentation

Experience with freshwater fish biology and habitat requirements.

Additional Information :

In accordance with the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site :

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As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics / genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

SUNY-ESF and the Broader Community

ESF is a specialized college within the 64-campus SUNY system, and a Carnegie R2 "High Research Activity" Institution that consistently earns high rankings in US News and World Report, Forbes, Princeton Review, and other national college guidebooks. With a total enrollment of about 2,200 undergraduates and 400 graduate students, combined with the immediate proximity of Syracuse University and Upstate Medical University, ESF provides an intimate, small-college atmosphere within a vibrant, large-university setting. ESF's extended campuses include more than 25,000 acres of forest properties, both close to Syracuse and across the Adirondack Park, which provide numerous opportunities for experiential coursework, research, and public outreach. For more information, see

Located on the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes region, Syracuse is a small city in a rural region offering a diversity of natural and cultural amenities, a low cost of living, and a high quality of life - ranking among the top 10 percent of "Best Places to Live" in "The Places Rated Almanac." Syracuse is situated with easy access to New York City, the Adirondack Park, Lake Ontario, and many other points of interest in the eastern United States and Canada. For Syracuse visitor information, see :

The Thousand Islands Biological Station is located in Clayton NY on Governors Island in the magnificent 1000 Islands Region of the St. Lawrence River only 1.5-hour drive to ESF, the main campus in Syracuse NY. The station hosts student and faculty housing, a small fleet of boats, experimental tank facilities, a host of aquatic research sampling gear and wet and dry laboratories in the boathouse. A mainland facility also exists and access to the island is provided by boat via the Clayton Yacht Club. Clayton is a vibrant community only 1km from the island. There are abundant recreational and outdoor activities in this region situated on one of the largest rivers in North America.

At ESF, we seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce to sustain program excellence and offer varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing.

Salary : $58,000