Careers @ MSU

Position Summary

Predator-prey relationships are a defining feature of all ecological systems. Flexible prey defensive (i.e., “anti-predator”) traits that reduce predation are widely believed to shape these relationships and diverse terms describe this paradigm including ‘risk effects’, ‘trait-mediated’, ‘non-consumptive’, and ‘ecology of fear’. The defensive trait response has a benefit of reduced predation risk, but also a fitness cost. Such costs to fitness, (“non-consumptive effects”, NCEs) may in turn reduce prey abundance. The prey’s trait response may also affect the fitness and abundance other species the prey interacts with (termed “trait-mediated indirect effects”; TMIEs) including the prey’s resources. A prevailing narrative is that risk effects can have a profound influence on populations and communities. But this narrative is ambiguous. Ecologists rarely include risk effects in models and there is surprisingly little evidence that they influence species vital rates or abundance in free-living systems. Indeed, there are sound arguments that the role of risk effects has been exaggerated. Thus, key unanswered questions remain: Are risk effects universally important? Do they drive species distribution and abundance? Should they be considered in conservation and management?

We seek a research associate (RA) to help us address such questions. This NSF-funded position is ideal for a person seeking to flex their theoretical muscles while reviewing the literature and critically considering existing knowledge as well as knowledge gaps. We hope to develop and make predictions with a general theoretical framework, and parameterize that framework with existing data from a specific system preferably of interest to the RA. The post-doc will be sponsored through the Fisheries and Wildlife department at MSU, supervised by Scott Peacor and Tal Avgar, and have the opportunity to participate in the theoretical ecology lab of Elise Zipkin (MSU). If the specific system is in large mammal ecology, the RA may have the opportunity to work with Dan MacNulty (Utah State University), or, if in zooplankton ecology, with government researchers from USGS and NOAA.  This position has the option to be remote.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Ecology, fisheries science

Minimum Requirements

The candidate must have excellent communication and organizational skills.

A record of publishing in peer-reviewed literature. 

Desired Qualifications

A record of research productivity in quantitative methods with the ability to build conceptual models that are operational with data (thus opening possible candidates without an ecology background). Note that here quantitative refers to ecological theory rather than statistics (having expertise in both is of course a bonus). Also, a deep theoretical background is not required, but rather a good understanding of assumptions and the application of ecological theory will be.

Required Application Materials

CV, letter of interest, and transcripts (unofficial). 

Review of Applications Begins On

06/20/2024

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/

Department Statement

1. The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is a vibrant community of scholars comprising about 40 core faculty (tenure stream and fixed-term faculty, and academic specialists), 80 graduate and 240 undergraduate students, and about 30 research associates. Our Mission is to build local, national, and international capacities to conserve ecosystems that support fish, wildlife, and society through integrated programs in research, education and engagement. We are committed to the integrative nature of natural resources conservation and management, with our expertise ranging from disciplinary areas with a long-standing history in the domain of fisheries and wildlife to those emerging more recently. For more information about the Department, please visit our website: https://www.canr.msu.edu/fw/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.