The Pinsky Lab in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources is searching for an organized, enthusiastic, and skilled individual to work as a data scientist on a 4-month project modeling the future of coral reefs and the potential for evolutionary rescue.
This is a temporary, hourly position starting in March 2020 at an hourly rate of $32-$60 (depending on qualifications).
The scientist will assist the PI, a postdoc, and our collaborators by performing statistical analyses and developing visualizations of outputs from a regional model of coral adaptation in the Caribbean. These analyses will contribute to our understanding of coral adaptation and the potential for conservation over the coming centuries across a realistically complex landscape. We seek to test a set strategies for expanding existing marine protected area networks in the region with the goal of facilitating coral adaptive potential. The scientist will also synthesize existing region-specific data on coral reefs and format model data for conservation applications. The work will support scientific publications, other reports, and on-the-ground conservation planning efforts.
The scientist will be part of a dynamic research team with opportunities for professional development, presentations, co-authorship on scientific manuscripts, and collaboration with colleagues at Rutgers, U. Washington, the Coral Reef Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, and beyond. Rutgers offers many opportunities to interact with biologists, oceanographers, climate scientists, and other scholars in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, the
Rutgers Climate Institute, the Institute for Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, and the many other institutions in the New York region.
Minimum Qualifications
- A master’s degree in ecology & evolution, marine biology, oceanography, climate, or a related scientific field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- Exceptional skill with a scientific computing language (e.g., R, MATLAB, or Python) and with data science applications
- Strong data visualization skills
- Experience with GIS
- Strong ability to accomplish tasks independently
- Excellent communication skills with professional colleagues
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of coral reef biology, ecology, or oceanography
- Start date in March 2020
To apply, please follow the instructions listed in the Rutgers employment portal post by submitting a cover letter that describes your interest in the position, a curriculum vitae, and the contact information for three references, as well as answering the “posting-specific questions”. Review of applications will begin immediately after February 2, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.
Please contact Malin Pinsky (malin.pinsky@rutgers.edu) if you have any questions.