JOBS AVAILABLE
POSTDOC IN MATERIALS ENGINEERING FOR CORAL RESTORATION
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Update: 1/10/2019: This position has been filled and applicants have been notified. Thank you to everyone who applied!
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A new postdoc position is available in materials engineering for coral restoration, supported by the NSF Growing Convergence program. The position is based at UIUC with Amy Wagoner Johnson and includes significant coral spawning fieldwork with our team at CARMABI in Curacao, as well as collaboration with Forest Rohwer's lab at SDSU. The strongest candidates will have experience in materials engineering or fluid dynamics, but we will consider candidates from across biology, oceanography, and geosciences. Full ad here:
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Post-doctoral Research Associate for Convergence Research in Engineering Coral Restoration
We seek a post-doctoral research associate for an NSF-funded Convergence Research project. This exciting and interdisciplinary project aims to address the fundamental problem blocking robust coral reef recovery: recruitment and survival of coral juveniles. The goal is to comprehensively test settlement surface designs and materials in various flow regimes to produce improved surfaces for coral research and restoration. The project combines expertise, methods, and researchers from engineering (materials and mechanical) and biology (microbiology, coral reef science, and geobiology) to make transformative advances in coral reproduction and juvenile survival. The research has the potential to have immediate application to the global restoration of threatened, ecologically-important, foundational marine species. Outcomes of the Convergence Research will also have relevance and long-term application to diverse fields including antifouling, aquaculture, biofilms, and bioactive materials. The project is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, CARMABI Research Station in Curaçao, and San Diego State University.
Qualifications: Applicants should have completed a Ph.D. preferably in an Engineering or Physical Sciences-related field, or Geology, Oceanography or Life Sciences, before starting the position. Strong candidates should have experience in experimental fluid mechanics (flume tank design, flow visualization, PIV/PTV, quantitative image analysis) OR background in materials processing and materials characterization (e.g. SEM, TEM, XRD), preferably in calcium-based biomaterials. Experience or training in biology, microbiology, geology, and associated techniques, and/or SCUBA diving experience are also positive attributes.
The post-doctoral researcher will divide research time between University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the CARMABI Research Station in Curaçao, conducting field research. The candidate should currently be certified or become certified in SCUBA and be prepared to dive. Due to the dynamic and cross-disciplinary nature of the project, preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate effective communication (written and verbal) and team-working skills.
Appointment: The start date is as soon as possible, but not later than February 2019. The initial appointment will be 12 months, renewable for an additional 12 months contingent on satisfactory performance.
Application procedure: Applications should include (1) a statement of experience, career goals, and research vision and interests relevant to the project, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) reprints of relevant publications, and (4) the names and contact information of three references who can provide letters of recommendation. Please email all materials as pdf documents to both Prof. Amy Wagoner Johnson (ajwj@illinois.edu) and Dr. Kristen Marhaver (kristen@marhaverlab.com) with ‘PostDoc Application – Convergence Research’ in the subject line.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applications submitted by November 15th, 2018.
Commitment to diversity: Women and other underrepresented groups in engineering and science are especially encouraged to apply. The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. To learn more about the University’s commitment to diversity, please visithttp://www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.