Gulf of Maine Research Institute-posted about 6 hours ago
$64,000 - $69,000/Yr
Full-time • Entry Level
Onsite • Portland, ME
51-100 employees

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org. GMRI is currently seeking applicants for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Biological Oceanography Lab. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work under the supervision of Dr. Jérôme Pinti and collaborate with a team of scientists at GMRI and other institutions to examine the role of fish in the Biological Carbon Pump in the Gulf of Maine. Fish-mediated flux (i.e., respiration, fecal pellets, and carcasses) is now widely recognized to account for a substantial part of total carbon export (between 10 and 30% of the export, depending on regions). However, the magnitude and variability of these fluxes in the Gulf of Maine are still not well understood. Here, using a combination of lab measurements, field sampling, and numerical modeling, the Postdoctoral Research Associate will dive deeper into the role of forage fish fecal pellets in the Gulf of Maine (regional production, sinking speed, and degradation rates), to obtain estimates of fish-mediated gravitational export and its spatio-temporal variations. The successful candidate will have a background in marine ecology and/or biological oceanography, and a deep understanding of marine carbon cycling and biological processes. The candidate should have experience in numerical modeling and/or statistical analysis, should be able to work relatively independently, and must demonstrate a strong record of producing high-quality scientific manuscripts. The incumbent is encouraged to explore other projects and proposals in line with his interests and expertise, the interests of the Biological Oceanography Lab, and contributing to GMRI’s Strategic Plan. The preferred start date is May 1, 2026 or earlier. The position will be located primarily at GMRI (www.gmri.org) in Portland, ME; occasional travel is anticipated for field work, meetings, or conferences. The initial appointment is for one year, renewable depending on availability of funding.

  • Perform research on the Biological Carbon Pump in the Gulf of Maine, aligned with the Biological Oceanography’s goals and GMRI’s Strategic Plan.
  • Contribute to the effective operation of the Biological Oceanography Lab by assisting the Principal Investigator (Dr. Pinti) with research execution, project coordination, and laboratory responsibilities.
  • Mentor an undergraduate summer intern during the summer.
  • Taken part in field work and other activities of the Biological Oceanography Lab as appropriate.
  • Contribute to and lead proposals to support later stages of research.
  • Synthesize and share results in peer-reviewed scientific papers and at scientific conferences.
  • Participate in project team meetings and workshops.
  • Participate in lab and GMRI staff meetings and activities.
  • Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, such as biological oceanography, marine ecology, fisheries biology, fisheries ecology, applied mathematics, statistics, or another field that demonstrates a strong quantitative background (e.g., modeling, spatial statistics, time-series analysis).
  • Experience with field work including sampling techniques (e.g., zooplankton or fish sampling), small boat operation, and the ability to work off hours and in variable conditions as needed.
  • Demonstrated experience and fluency in relevant programming languages (e.g., R).
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, as evidenced through publications in the peer reviewed scientific literature and presentation of results to a variety of audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
  • Eligible to work in the United States.
  • Experience working on the Biological Carbon Pump.
  • Experience crafting grant proposals.
  • Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
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