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Vulnerability of seaweed species and marine ecosystem functioning to environmental change

This NSF-supported Junior Specialist position is in marine ecology, focused on quantifying variation in functional traits of intertidal seaweeds across environmental (tidal elevation, wave exposure, latitude) gradients along the coastlines of California and Europe. Along with collaborators at Swansea University in Wales and the University of Porto in Portugal, our laboratory group at the University of California, Irvine, is evaluating links between seaweed species traits and community structure to evaluate the functional uniqueness versus redundancy of seaweeds and their vulnerability to environmental change. The successful candidate will ideally have experience identifying and measuring seaweeds and conducting field and laboratory experiments and assays.

Application Due Date: March 31, 2023
Start Date: Flexible, ideally between April and June, 2023

The primary responsibilities of this position include assisting with the following:

1. Field surveys and experiments (~25%) to evaluate intertidal community structure and seaweed traits and assess traits associated with susceptibility to grazers. Research will primarily be conducted at sites in California (near UC Irvine and near the UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory) but also at locations in the United Kingdom and Portugal in coordination with our collaborators.
2. Laboratory experiments and assays (~25%), including measurement of seaweed nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, and electron transport rates and elemental composition and maintenance of a recirculating seawater system.
3. Data management (~25%), including entering, analyzing, presenting and ensuring quality control and back-up storage of community survey and seaweed trait, experiment, and assay data.
4. Supporting laboratory logistics (~25%), including ordering supplies, coordinating travel, and facilitating permitting.
   

Minimum qualifications:

1. A bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, marine science, or a related field from an accredited university
2. The ability and desire to work collaboratively as a member of a team
3. The capacity to regularly work full days outdoors on uneven terrain and under variable field conditions
4. A commitment to promoting field safety, best practices, and the lab’s values of inclusion and diversity
5. Time management, data management and analysis, and presentation skills
6. A valid driver’s license and passport by the time of appointment The Junior Specialist will work directly with Dr. Matthew Bracken (https://faculty.sites.uci.edu/biodiversity/) in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Irvine, and they will collaborate with the laboratory groups of Dr. John Griffin at Swansea University in Wales and Dr. Francisco Arenas at the University of Porto in Portugal. The initial appointment will be for 12 months, and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. A reasonable estimate for this position is $49,000 - $52,200 per year. See Specialist Series – Represented Fiscal Year.

Please apply through the UCI system at https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF08151. A complete application includes the following: (1) a cover letter that includes (at minimum) a description of how your qualifications and career goals are an excellent fit for the advertised position and your desired start date (see above), (2) a curriculum vitae, and (3) contact information for three references. Contact Matthew Bracken (m.bracken@uci.edu) with any questions.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being up-to-date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.