Assessment of endangered fishes in Upper Colorado

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Assessment of endangered fishes in Upper Colorado

Postby mconner » Fri Nov 20, 2015 6:03 pm

Research Fellow Position, Utah State University - PhD or MS with ≥3 years relevant experience
Analytical assessment of the status of endangered fishes in The Upper Colorado River Basin

We seek a quantitative research scientist to assist with a large-scale survival and vital rate analysis for 2-5 species of imperiled fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) historically provided habitat for four native large river fishes, now listed as endangered and three native and endemic tributary fishes, protected under a Conservation Agreement. As part of recovery efforts, considerable effort and millions of dollars has gone into tagging (PIT tagging) and recapturing these fish. In the past 10 years, techniques have included traditional active mark and recapture, passive instream antennae (PIA), and a suite of novel other small-scale approaches. Individually, each of these efforts has addressed a site or species-specific goal (e.g., entrainment, migration timing); however, to date, there has been no systematic analysis of the collective and extensive data set and no basin-wide attempts to estimate vital rates (survival, growth, age structure), trends, or other critical population viability metrics.

The primary focus for this position is to: 1) collect all of this mark-reencounter data, and then clean and analyze it to evaluate these historical data for their utility and precision in estimating vital rates, life history expressions, and movement patterns over the Upper Colorado River Basin 2) build up from these data to develop meta-population (multi-state) projection models for viability analysis and to evaluate and prioritize management actions. The ultimate goal is to provide managers with assessment tools that can be updated annually and used to answer important management questions.

The successful candidate will have strong quantitative skills with a background in mark-resight analysis methods and modeling, population modeling, and simulation methods, as well as some experience with large, messy data sets and analysis. Some training can be provided. In addition, strong written and oral communication skills are critical, and the successful candidate should be able to work well in a multiple-agency team, that will coordinate with teams working on similar problems in the UCRB. Opportunities and efforts to publish peer-reviewed manuscripts associated with components of the project will be provided and encouraged. Opportunities to gain teaching experience are available, and there will be opportunities participate in field work in some of these rivers occasionally.

Term of appointment is one year with the potential for extension depending on funding. Preferred start date is ~ February 2016, but dates are negotiable. Salary commensurate with experience (~ $50,000/yr + full benefits = ~$73,000). This is a competitive salary in Cache Valley, Utah, where living costs are relatively low. All local travel and professional travel costs will be covered. The position closes when filled. Scientist will be located in Logan at Utah State University in the Department of Watershed Sciences but will be expected to spend considerable time collaborating with partners located throughout the state. Interested candidates should send inquiries, letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and contact information to Phaedra Budy (phaedra.budy@usu.edu) and Mary Conner (mary.conner@usu.edu).
mconner
 
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