Postdoctoral Coastal and Aquatic Ecological Research Opportunity

The Environmental Laboratory (EL) provides relevant, value-added technology supporting the environmental mission of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Army, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Nation. Headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the EL’s interdisciplinary staff of over 220 engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel plans and executes all phases of the technology development process, from basic research to field implementation to commercialization. The EL staff consists of problem solvers who use research, development, experimentation, special studies, and technical support to address the needs of national and international business development partners. Partnering with Federal and State agencies, academia, and the private sector, the EL uses its distinctive technical capabilities to resolve complex, multi-disciplinary environmental sustainability problems. 

Under the guidance of a mentor, the selected participant will be participating in collaborative coastal and aquatic ecological research. The participant will participate in a collaborative field experiment focused on bivalve restoration techniques in the Gulf of Mexico, that will improve Gulf sturgeon habitat and oyster reef, and will assess the use of Natural and Nature Based Features. The participant will participate by serving as a liaison between the ERDC Environmental Laboratory and University of Southern Mississippi partners on this oyster restoration research. In addition, the participant will concurrently participate with the development of additional research projects within the coastal ecology and aquatic invasive species research groups portfolios. This will include, but will not be limited to, assisting with experimental design, data collection, analysis of results and writing papers. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, bivalve ecology, coastal restoration, oyster reef dynamics and commercial fisheries, invasive species, ecological study design, threatened and endangered species, among others. 

 

This appointment is a full-time twelve-month research appointment, with the possibility to be renewed for additional research periods. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.

Participants will receive a stipend to be determined by ERDC-EL. Stipends are typically based on the participant’s academic standing, discipline, experience, and research facility location. Other benefits may include the following:

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOD, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

 

 Qualifications

Candidate should have complete his/her PhD in a biological or ecological field of study.

Useful skills a candidate could bring to this opportunity include knowledge in:

 

Research may require physical exertion such as walking, bending, crouching, stretching, reaching, and similar activities on terrain that is rough, rocky, mountainous, and densely vegetated. Research may be performed in an outdoor environment including navigable rivers, nearshore, and areas ranging from very cold and wet to very hot and dry. This research may require physical exertion over very steep, wet, muddy, slippery, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces. Research may require collecting samples on a boat or submerged in waist-high water (about 3 to 4 feet) for extended periods of time. Lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 25 lbs is necessary to efficiently perform the work of the position and to provide for personal comfort and safety. This may include tools, personal protective equipment, and food and water to complete tasks away from vehicles for extended periods.