Research Associate, Pelagic Ecosystems

Academic

Job Category

Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title

Research Associate, Pelagic Ecosystems

Department

Research | Hunt | Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries | Faculty of Science (Brian Hunt)

Posting End Date

July 23, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Jul 31, 2025

Description

A full time Research Associate (RA) position is available with the Pelagic Ecosystems Lab, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia. The primary responsibility of this position will be coordination and implementation of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada funded project establishing baselines, risks, and mechanisms of thiamine deficiency in British Columbia Chinook salmon. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency complex (TDC) is a rapidly emerging issue impacting Chinook salmon in California and Alaska, but has received extremely limited evaluation in British Columbia. TDC may already be a factor in BC Chinook declines, and is expected to be a growing issue under climate change. Thiamine is derived from prey in the marine environment and levels in predators vary in response to changing ocean conditions and diet. This project seeks to establish baselines, risks, and mechanisms of thiamine deficiency in British Columbia Chinook salmon. In addition, the research associate will work closely with Pelagic Ecosystems Lab PI, Dr. Brian Hunt, in developing and participating in other projects within the lab.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Research Associate’s primary responsibility will be coordination and implementation of the Thiamine project described above, working closely with a postdoctoral fellow hired under the same project. The project will involve boat-based field work and extensive lab work, supported by a research technician, and graduate and undergraduate research assistants. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Planning, coordination and implementation of lab work, including fatty acid analysis, and preparation of samples for thiamine and stable isotope analysis;
• Stakeholder engagement – dissemination of results to stakeholders through written reports, presentations and workshops.
• Coordination with partners (in federal government, NGOs, and academia) on planning and collection of samples;
• Planning, coordination and implementation of field work, including bio-oceanographic, forage fish, and chinook salmon sampling;
• Data analysis and preparation for publication of peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations;

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Field experience in boat based coastal marine science, including bio- and fisheries oceanography sampling procedures
• A proven record of collaborative research, excellent oral and written communications, skills in qualitative and quantitative research.
• Data management
• Research experience in food web ecology, lower trophic level interactions, and material flows to higher trophic levels
• Project coordination, including field and laboratory logistics
• Undergraduate supervision and graduate mentorship
• Excellent written and spoken English
• A minimum of a PhD degree in biological oceanography, marine ecology, fisheries biology or related fields
• Experience with fatty acid laboratory analysis and data processing
• R, Python or Matlab skills in data analysis and visualization
• A strong publication record in peer reviewed scientific journals.
• A minimum of 3 years work experience as a postdoctoral fellow or research associate;

This position will begin on July 1, 2023 and is planned for two and a half years to 31 December 2025 with the possibility of renewal/extension.