We are seeking a postdoctoral scientist to work with us on a newly funded award from the National Science Foundation on the ecological interactions between Trinidadian guppies and Hart’s killifish. The project is focused on how these two species coexist when differences in competitive ability and other factors suggest that they should not. We are investigating the roles of temporal and spatial storage effects and other fluctuation-dependent mechanisms for coexistence. In particular, we are asking if the relative importance of fluctuation-independent and fluctuation-dependent mechanisms changes as each species evolves in response to the other.
This work continues our long-term studies of ecology and evolution in the Trinidadian guppy, including close study of population and evolutionary dynamics in four experimental streams, which we began in 2008. The entire project is described at our website: https://theguppyproject.weebly.com.
The responsibilities of the postdoctoral scientist will include participating in monthly mark-recapture of guppies and killifish in four experimental communities in Trinidad, leading the execution of mesocosm experiments in Trinidad, leading the collection and preparation of tissue samples for stable isotope studies of each species’ trophic niche, analyzing data, and preparing manuscripts.
The postdoctoral scientist will be headquartered at Florida State University but will expected to spend the majority of her/his/their time in Trinidad. There will be opportunities to spend time with the principal investigators at Florida State University (J. Travis), Williams College (R. Bassar), University of California-Riverside (D. Reznick), and University of Oxford (T. Coulson).
The successful applicant must have a Ph.D. awarded by September 2021, prior experience with field work in ecology or evolutionary biology, not necessarily in the tropics, be able to conduct the field work in the demanding habitat and climate of tropical Trinidad, and be comfortable with a group living situation in rural Trinidad. The successful applicant must also be skilled in data curation and statistical analyses.
The award from the National Science Foundation provides three years of funding. The starting salary will be $47,659, with provision for annual cost-of-living increases.
Questions about the position and initial inquiries from individuals interested in the position should be sent to Joseph Travis (travis@bio.fsu.edu). Formal applications can be made at http://jobs.fsu.edu as soon as the appropriate job number is assigned and posted. The position will be filled as soon as practical.
Affordable Care Act
OPS employees are covered under the Affordable Care Act. OPS employees that meet certain criteria will be offered other health care coverage. For more information, please visit the following website regarding the Affordable Care Act, http://hr.fsu.edu/?page=benefites/insurance/insurance_home&ops=1.
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Effective January 1, 2014, tobacco use, including simulated tobacco use, is prohibited on property, interior and exterior, owned or managed by Florida State University. This policy applies to all Florida State University students, employees, consultants, contractors, visitors, and external individuals.
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Criminal Background Check
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check, to include fingerprinting. The background check will be conducted as authorized and in accordance with Florida State University Policy 4-OPC- 7-B11.