Assistant Research Scientist
About The Position
The Assistant Research Scientist – Oyster Larval Transport position supports the recently funded Oyster Larval Transport/Hydrodynamic Modeling for the Herring Bay Sanctuary, Maryland project. The project aims to build the Herring Bay Oyster Model System (HBOMS), a coupled simulation system comprising hydrodynamic, oyster larval transport, and oyster metapopulation sub-models, and apply it to inform the sanctuary’s oyster restoration plan. The work will identify source, sink, and auto-recruiting reefs and the population abundances needed to sustain those characteristics amid variability in circulation, recruitment, growth, and mortality. The model will also estimate the reef size and oyster abundance needed for a source area to measurably augment regional recruitment, as well as larval transport origins and connections between Herring Bay, restoration areas, and adjacent harvest grounds. Based at the Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, Maryland, and mentored by Dr. Elizabeth North, the successful candidate will play a leading role in the modeling work. This includes running and validating a ROMS hydrodynamic model, implementing an LTRANS oyster larval transport model for Herring Bay, analyzing model output to provide metrics that guide restoration-site planning, and running and graphing output from an oyster metapopulation model. The researcher will interact with scientific collaborators, restoration managers, and scientists, and communicate clearly with nontechnical audiences.
Requirements
- A Ph.D. is required at the beginning of the period of employment.
- Expertise in hydrodynamic and particle transport modeling.
- Proficiency with R, Matlab, and Fortran.
- Experience working with scientists and managers in group settings.
- Familiarity with oyster biology.
- Familiarity with communicating with nontechnical audiences.
- Review and accept the UMCES Principles of Conduct.
- Submit a cover letter describing relevant research experience, interests, and goals; a current CV or resume; and contact information for three references.
Nice To Haves
- Previous work with ROMS, LTRANS, and oyster larvae particle tracking models.
Responsibilities
- Run and validate a ROMS hydrodynamic model.
- Implement an LTRANS oyster larval transport model for Herring Bay.
- Analyze LTRANS output to provide metrics that can guide spatial planning of restoration sites in Herring Bay Sanctuary.
- Run and graph output from an oyster metapopulation model.
- Take a leading role in the modeling work.
- Interact with scientific collaborators, restoration managers, and scientists.
- Communicate clearly in nontechnical settings.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
