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Position Information

Present Position Number

F0104W

Role Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Position Title

Postdoctoral Fellow in Ecohydrology and Aquatic Resources

Unit Mission Statement

About the Global Research Institute:
Global Research Institute
empowers teams of William & Mary students and faculty to make a difference in the world. We are a multidisciplinary hub that applies scholarly research to real world problems, investing in outstanding student and faculty scholars to catalyze new insights and cultivate the next generation of global leaders. Based in the Office of the Provost, GRI supports a whole of university approach to advance W&M by developing ideas, convening partners, creating and analyzing data, and inventing new methods. The Institutes approach to incubate and scale and applied research helps researchers push research frontiers and produce insights that matter at W&M and beyond.

About the Virginia Institute of Marine Science:
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. VIMS serves as the School of Marine Science for William & Mary with masters and doctoral programs within four academic departments: Aquatic Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Fisheries Science, and Physical Sciences. It is expected that the Postdoctoral Research Associate will engage with graduate students, staff, and faculty and contribute to the vibrant research community at VIMS.

Position Summary

William & Marys Global Research Institute (GRI) and Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) seek a Postdoctoral Fellow with expertise in geospatial hydrology and aquatic resources to work with Drs. Kunwar Singh (GRI-AidData) and Mary Fabrizio (VIMS Department of Fisheries Science). The fellow position is a part of the Nepal Water Initiative, a collaborative effort of VIMS, GRI, and the Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC), established for exploring the complex interactions among natural resources, livelihood systems, and climate scenarios in Nepal for developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change through interdisciplinary and pluralistic institutional approaches.

The fellow will primarily focus on exploring the baseline status of natural resources and changes in those resources due to anthropogenic activities under a changing climate, as well as the effects of long-term changes on freshwater fishes of Nepal. Mounting human pressure on Nepals natural resources, combined with its mountainous terrain and social vulnerability, makes the country particularly vulnerable to climate change. Freshwater fishes are threatened by natural resource depletion and degradation of aquatic habitats, as well as climate-related effects. Therefore, we are especially interested in understanding the role that variability in seasonal water availability plays in maintaining suitable habitats for aquatic species in the region. The fellow will focus on reproducible science through cloud computing and a built-in data catalog and ground observations to create baseline data on land change, water resources, and changes in floodplain connectivity. The fellow will develop survey protocols and apply outcomes to explore the role of seasonal water variability in maintaining habitats for aquatic species.

Position responsibilities include development of a research plan; development of conceptual approaches and sampling protocols; collection of data from field studies in Nepal; statistical analyses; preparation of manuscripts describing results; and coordination of meetings with research teams from IIC, VIMS, and GRI. The project will involve travel to present at scientific conferences, as well as to accomplish field-based studies in Nepal as necessary. The specific responsibilities include:

utilize cloud computing (e.g., Google Earth Engine-GEE) and a built-in data catalog and data collected from surveys to create a baseline time-series database of land change, water resources, and changes in floodplain connectivity.
process and analyze data on river discharge, climate, and from weather stations.
engage with undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds through training, hands-on exercises, and applied research.
develop protocols for household and field surveys, including IRB approvals if required.
communicate findings to scientists and the public, including publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
develop materials to train local communities and engage with students from diverse backgrounds on a project through training, hands-on exercises, and applied research.

The fellow will receive an annual salary of $55k and W&Ms
medical and retirement benefits. In addition, the fellow will have access to a research fund of $33k and $5k to attend conferences. Most of the research fund will be used to hire Research Assistants, as working with and mentoring undergraduate students is part of the responsibility of the fellow position.

Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Kunwar Singh (ksingh@aiddata.wm.edu) or Dr. Mary Fabrizio (mfabrizio@vims.edu).

This position is in Williamsburg, Virginia. This is a 12-month position, and renewable for a second-year contingent on performance. The position will be open until filled, with a review of applicants beginning on February 28, 2023.

Required Qualifications

At the time of appointment, the applicant will have a PhD, from an accredited institution, in physical geography, ecohydrology, geospatial science, natural resources, aquatic science or similar with a research focus on the intersection of geospatial analysis and ecology with a preference for aquatic ecology, and a strong publication record. The fellow must have proven abilities to conduct related research projects and to work as part of a scientific team.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with:

advanced programming skills with language and tools such as GEE, R, and Python.
experience analyzing large data sets with cloud technologies and platforms.
training or experience in ecohydrological modeling.
experience applying statistical analysis to model natural resources under changing climate.
proven communication, team building, and organizational skills.
experience working in a collaborative environment.
experience and/or ability to lead a research project and independently develop new directions.
proven interest and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the sciences.
experience and/or ability to develop research collaboration & co-production of knowledge with international communities (i.e., local communities in Nepal).

Conditions of Employment

Department

3KM140 Global Research Institute-G&C

Location

William & Mary

Job Open Date

01/09/2023

Review Begin Date

02/28/2023

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Job Category

Instructional Faculty

Special Application Instructions

Application materials should include: (1) a cover letter identifying availability for this position; (2) a 1-page statement describing relevant experiences and research interests; (3) a pdf of a peer-reviewed publication; (4) a full curriculum vitae; and (5) the names, addresses (including titles and institutions), email addresses, and telephone numbers of three references.

For full consideration, submit application materials by the review date, February 28, 2023. Applications received after the review date will be considered if needed.

Background Check Statement

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement

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.

Benefits Summary Statement

William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program).

Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more. To learn more, go to: https://www.wm.edu/offices/hr/currentemployees/benefits/index.php

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