Postdoctoral Research Associate- Seahorse Conservation in Southeast Asia

Position length: Three year appointment with potential for subsequent extensions                                                                                                                                         Application deadline: February 28, or until suitable candidate is found                                               Salary: $50,000 per year plus benefits

Annual budget: $26,000

General Description:

The John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral research associate focusing on seahorse conservation in Southeast Asia. Shedd Aquarium seeks to play a central role in a global venture to study the ecology of seahorses, and develop local stakeholder/citizen science programs to support seahorse conservation. The successful candidate is expected to work closely with Project Seahorse, a marine conservation organization committed to the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s coastal marine ecosystems, based out of University of British Columbia (Canada) and the Zoological Society of London (UK). Together, our ultimate goal is to ensure the conservation of seahorses and other marine life through research, management and policy initiatives. Such gains are generally maximized through in-country support and program development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The selected associate is expected to 1) produce the first dynamic distribution map of seahorse populations in Southeast Asia that includes potential research collaborators and environmental pressures, 2) develop a toolkit for in-country collaborators that include protocols for identifying, assessing, and monitoring seahorses, 3) test and refine the toolkit in Southeast Asia – and its interface with a related global database – to make sure it is user friendly and effective for citizen scientists, 4) identify and train collaborators/validators for citizen science in Southeast Asia, and 5) identify a suitable location and initiate a long-term field project for seahorse conservation with existing in-country agencies and organizations. Other responsibilities in support of this partnership venture will include public communication and collaboration on the global database development and analysis.

This position will be based at Shedd Aquarium with multiple visits to Project Seahorse in Vancouver and London, as well as extended field work in priority countries in Southeast Asia. It will be co-supervised by Dr. Chuck Knapp, Director of Conservation and Research at Shedd Aquarium, and Dr. Amanda Vincent, Director of Project Seahorse and Canada Research Chair in Marine Conservation.

Job requirements:

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in ecology, marine science, natural resource management, zoology, or related field. The position requires strong scientific research skills, database management, and ability to communicate at an academic and general-pubic level. Experience with grant acquisition, and publishing in peer-reviewed and general outlets is expected. Applicants must have a real interest in interdisciplinary applied science and have the ability to work independently and under limited supervision. The postdoctoral fellow must have experience working in developing countries and be willing to travel extensively in Southeast Asia.

How to Apply:

Please send a curriculum vitae, cover letter, and contact information for three references. The letter, CV, and reference information should be sent to Tiffany Tuckett (jobs@sheddaquarium.org). To discuss the specifics of this position contact Dr. Chuck Knapp (cknapp@sheddaquarium.org).