Location:         Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Scituate, MA

Supervisor:     Program Operations Manager (Conservation and Science)

Status:             Full-time, Exempt, Two-year term position

What We Need

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a Post Doc Fellow, a position responsible for providing support to analyze a suite of animal movement and environmental data in relation to Marine Protected Areas to improve our ability to conserve protected species in a larger ecosystem context. This project is a multi-taxa ecosystem evaluation of how highly migratory and protected species, including cetaceans, fishes, pinnipeds, seabirds, and turtles, as well as humans, are using a network of state and federal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in New England waters. The MPA focus of this proposal includes the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) and the system of state MPAs surrounding the coast of Massachusetts, with implications for the offshore Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument as well. 

We are a seeking a post-doctoral candidate to conduct a geospatial-habitat usage analyses to understand drivers of habitat preference that may govern connectivity between species and MPAs across spatiotemporal scales, using a combination of satellite and acoustic telemetry, existing abundance and density data, as well as datasets on physical and biological factors. Multispecies connectivity maps, overlaid with areas of human use and anthropogenic risk, will provide managers with the data and tools to investigate whether the size, location, regulations, and zonings for the network of New England MPAs are sufficient to ensure or enhance species’ persistence. The goal of this proposed work is to provide scientifically-based data to state and federal managers with actionable information and tools to improve their ability to protect, conserve, and restore the ecosystem of the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and adjacent waters.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

Anticipated products from this project include: 

• Spatiotemporal data layers of target species collected during this project;
• Spatiotemporal data layers of human activities near and within Marine Protected Areas;
• Species distribution models as they relate to environmental covariates, as well as integrated analyses across all species to evaluate shared habitat use;
• A user-driven tool to allow managers to evaluate the spatial and temporal placement of MPAs relative to species’ habitat utilizations;
• Peer-reviewed publication(s) documenting the results;
• Presentations and communication to managers and advisory groups on results

Who You Are 

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in quantitative ecology, statistics, wildlife ecology or similar field;
• Strong background in statistical and species distribution or habitat modeling; 
• Experience in manipulating and analyzing telemetry datasets to understand animal movement behavior in relation to environmental variables;
• Experience in multi-taxa assessments;
• Experience accessing and utilizing data layers related to environmental and anthropogenic variables;
• Advanced programming in R;
• Experience publishing scientific research;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written (including visual presentations) with a variety of audiences including technical, scientific, and the general public;
• Strong project management skills; 
• Ability to travel to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center in Woods Hole, MA.

Why You Will Love Us

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand those special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Foundation works in close partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase stewardship of our ocean and Great Lakes through on-the- water conservation projects, and education and public outreach activities, and by support for research. Together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and support coastal communities and economies. 

• Dedicated and passionate staff committed to marine and Great Lakes Conservation
• Generous leave policy, plus paid time off the week between December 25 and January 1; and 12 paid holidays
• Health benefits: Medical with an FSA option; dental, and vision
• Foundation paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Preparing for the Future: 403(B) with employer contribution after one year of service

Compensation and Benefits: $60,000 - $68,000 annually, based on experience. The Foundation offers a competitive benefits package. 

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references. Applications received by December 23, 2024 will be preferred.

Location: Scituate, MA, with an ability for some fieldwork and some telework, as needed. 

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This commitment applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The Foundation makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.