Assistant Professor Research - Fixed

Working/Functional Title

Assistant Professor – Fishery Stock Assessment

Position Summary

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University invites applications for a full‐time, 12 month fixed-term Assistant Professor Research with a 100% research assignment.  The position start date is anticipated to be 7/1/2024. This is one of two new fishery stock assessment positions; candidates who wish to be considered for both positions should apply to both. 

The Quantitative Fisheries Center (QFC) seeks a Research Assistant Professor with experience in quantitative fisheries stock assessment and harvest simulation modeling to modernize walleye and yellow perch statistical catch-at-age models in Lake Erie and evaluate sustainable harvest policies.  Currently, the bi-nationally managed Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are valued at more than $1 billion USD/yr, and presently represent the only Marine Stewardship Council certified fisheries in the Laurentian Great Lakes.  The hired scientist will work closely with the Lake Erie Committee (LEC), Lake Erie Walleye Task Group (WTG) and the Yellow Perch Task Group (YPTG) to translate existing stock assessment models from ADMB to RTMB and conduct assessment research to improve existing assessment modeling approaches.  Anticipated activities and research include 1) translating existing assessment models from ADMB to RTMB, 2) conducting research to further existing models to the state-space modeling framework, and 3) making structural changes to models as requested by the WTG and YPTG.  Upon completion of assessment model changes, the candidate will use simulation modeling to explore the robustness of existing harvest policies and evaluate new policies.  The researcher will join an exciting team of fisheries scientists working at the Quantitative Fisheries Center and will help with efforts to improve fishery stock assessments throughout the Great Lakes.   

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 -fisheries or wildlife science

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in fisheries or wildlife science, or related discipline with a strong background in fishery stock assessment modeling and harvest policy analysis. A demonstrated record of activities in research including at a post-doctoral research associate or some other Ph.D.-level research scientist position focused on assessment modeling, harvest policy analysis, or management strategy evaluation.

Desired Qualifications

Familiarity with AD Model Builder or Template Model Builder, particularly RTMB, is highly desired. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience engaging agency personnel and stakeholders at the interface of technical analysis and resource management.  

Required Application Materials

Upload the following required documents: a) letter of interest that includes a) qualifications and interest in the position (2-page maximum); b) current curriculum vitae; c) a description of how you will contribute to CANR’s positive culture, fair access to resources and to creating a sense of belonging; and d) contact information for three professional references. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Instructions

Salary and Benefits: $75,000 + benefits. Initial appointment is for 1 year with a possibility of 1 or more annual extensions depending on performance and needs identified by Great Lakes stock assessment scientists. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on May 15, 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Travis Brenden, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA, brenden@msu.edu, 1-517-355-0003. 

Review of Applications Begins On

05/15/2024

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/qfc/

Department Statement

The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife: The Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is a vibrant community of scholars comprising >40 core faculty (tenure stream and fixed-term faculty, and academic specialists), and >30 research associates, 80 graduate and 240 undergraduate students. 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. The Quantitative Fisheries Center was established in 2005 to provide a research, outreach/service, and teaching program that contributes to greater capacity within fishery management agencies in quantitative methods; improved quantitative methods for assessing fish stocks; assistance to agencies that use model-based approaches in decision making; and develop a better understanding of fish community and population dynamics. The QFC is supported by MSU, the GLFC, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and several state, provincial, and tribal agencies with fishery management jurisdiction over the Great Lakes. In 2018, the QFC received the Besadny award from the GLFC for outstanding work to enhance the understanding of Great Lakes fisheries by emphasizing the use of quantitative tools in teaching, outreach, and research and for serving as a trusted partner and a recognized leader both within and outside the Great Lakes basin. 

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. MSU enjoys a park‐like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of >500,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support and other types of support for balancing work and personal lives at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/

Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging

Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. The University resides on Land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw.

Michigan State University is dedicated to achieving excellence by fostering an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. 

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.