Opportunity: Postdoctoral Researcher, DROPPS
– April 16, 2015
A post-doctoral position is available for interdisciplinary research involving the dispersion of oil spills and the interactions of oil with planktonic marine organisms.
This researcher will interact with the DROPPS consortium (Dispersion Research on Oil: Physics and Plankton Studies, https://sites.cns.utexas.edu/utmsi.dropps) which includes scientists from seven institutions involved in a Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative funded study (https://gulfresearchinitiative.org/).
The consortium will investigate the dispersal of oil into droplets, characterize the droplet size distribution under various hydrodynamic regimes, and quantify how planktonic organisms interact with minute oil droplets, including the consumption of oil droplets and the effects of plankton on the fate of the dispersed oil. The central focus of the research for this position will be the effects of oil on marine zooplankton, including lethal and sub-lethal effects of crude oil and dispersants, trophic transfer and concentrations of toxins, effects on natural plankton assemblages and other aspects of zooplankton ecology. The researcher will have the opportunity to apply state of the art optical techniques to visualize and quantify the interactions of plankton and oil droplets, including high speed video, PIV and digital holography. Mesoscale studies will also be performed on natural plankton assemblages from the Gulf of Mexico, using a tower tank to observe rising oil droplets interactions with this layers of plankton and more traditional mesocosm studies to determine the effects of oil and dispersants on natural planktonic communities.
Appointment: The position is available for up to 36 months, beginning as soon as a qualified candidate is selected. The position will be located at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas utilizing space in the new Estuarine Research Center building. A competitive salary and benefits package is available. Qualifications: Candidates should have a Ph.D. in natural sciences or a related field, with interests and background that would facilitate hands-on experiments using both standard methods to study zooplankton ecology and advanced optical methods to study the details of interactions between oil droplets and planktonic organisms. Desirable skills include the ability to conceive, design, conduct and analyze the results of laboratory studies that visualize and quantify the kinematics of zooplankton behavior.
To Apply: Submit (1) curriculum vitae (2) names and addresses of three references willing to write confidential letters of recommendation and (3) a short statement of career goals and interests (1-2 pages). All materials should be emailed as a single pdf document to: ed.buskey@utexas.edu with “PostDoc Application” in the subject line.
More information on the Marine Science Institute can be found at http://www.utmsi.utexas.edu/
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
The University of Texas at Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or veteran status. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 Rules)
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification form, I-9. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
