Postdoctoral Investigator (Ecosystem Models)

The Biology and Physical Oceanography Departments at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) invite applications for a Postdoctoral Investigator (PDI) to develop new ecosystem models to assess the potential impacts of offshore wind development on the Northeast United States continental shelf. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Gregory Britten, co-supervised by Drs. Ke Chen, Rubao Ji, and Glen Gawarkiewicz.

The project aims to develop new ecosystem models for the Northeast United States continental shelf that will be coupled to existing high resolution physical circulation models. The ecosystem model will be constructed using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) framework, utilizing cutting-edge trait- and size-based parameterizations of the planktonic ecosystem. The ecosystem models will resolve the size-structured plankton community, along with the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon, and iron. In parallel with ongoing modeling investigations of the hydrodynamic impacts of offshore wind development, the ecosystem modeling PDI sought here will assess how modeled changes to circulation and mixing impact nutrient supply processes and the ecosystem response. A core motivation is to understand how changes to nutrient supply may impact zooplankton food resources for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) which inhabits the offshore wind development region. The project thereby provides an exciting opportunity for the PDI to interact with ecological managers and other stakeholders in the region. The physical and ecosystem modeling work will be paired with an autonomous vehicle-based field campaign sampling physical and biogeochemical fields at turbine-, windfarm-, and regional-scales in order to calibrate and validate models.

The selected PDI candidate will have numerical physical and/or biogeochemical modeling experience and strong quantitative skills. A solid understanding of the interactions between physical, biogeochemical, and ecological processes in the ocean is required. Strong oral and written communication skills should be demonstrated through a record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations. This position is full-time for one-year with extension up to three years upon satisfactory progress. This is a full-time position with full benefits.

WHOI has a top-rated postdoctoral program (www.whoi.edu/postdoctoral) that supports a dynamic postdoctoral community with formal mentoring and career guidance programs. The PDI will have opportunities to participate in educational and outreach activities associated with the project. WHOI is committed to scientific excellence and diversity, and we strongly encourage applications from candidates who will contribute to a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant publications, and names/contact information for three professional references. Please apply online at https://url-here. The review ofapplications will begin on April 17 and continue until theposition is filled.