CalCOFI eDNA Postdoctoral Researcher
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to leverage marine environmental DNA (eDNA) to better understand the spatial ecology of marine mammals. Specifically, the candidate will process eDNA filters and analyze data from samples collected by the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), a long-running marine ecosystem monitoring program. There will also be opportunities for fieldwork and sampling methodology development. The candidate will work closely with collaborators from SIO’s Marine Physical Laboratory, the University of Washington, and NOAA Fisheries to coordinate data sharing, leverage diverse fields of expertise, and ensure research integrity. In particular, data will be used to develop a regional model of cetacean habitat occupancy.
This project is funded by the Office of Naval Research as part of the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiatives program. It is also part of the West Coast Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network, a UN Decade of Ocean Science-endorsed project to harmonize eDNA methods and integrate data sources from the Northeast Pacific Ocean to improve our understanding of marine ecosystem dynamics and predicted responses to future perturbations.
The ideal candidate will be highly motivated to push the boundaries of eDNA science for marine conservation and management purposes. In addition, a commitment to FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible) data generation and management is critical. We are committed to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourage scientists from underrepresented groups to apply.
Required skills: molecular biology (ideally eDNA sample processing for metabarcoding and qPCR / digital PCR), bioinformatics (ideally amplicon sequence data processing and analysis), R programming language, ecological statistics, management of large sequence data sets and associated metadata.
Desired skills: marine mammal biology, phylogenetics, Python
Supervisors: Professor Brice X. Semmens and Dr. Nastassia V. Patin, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego Please send Dr. Brice Semmens a brief description of your research interests, details on any potential or secured funding for your proposed research, and a copy of your full CV if you’re interested in joining the lab.
For the full job posting, including application instructions, please click here.
Prospective Graduate Students