The Burt Lab at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is seeking to appoint a Post-Doctoral Researcher who will study coral ecophysiology in an extreme environmental setting. NYUAD is located on the shores of the Persian/Arabian Gulf, where corals and other reef fauna experience highly variable and extreme temperatures (ranging from 18 – 36 ?C annually), as well as extreme salinity, frequent hypoxia, high turbidity, and recurrent bleaching. The UAE is also bordered on its east coast by the environmentally benign Gulf of Oman, making this location an ideal setting for studying how marine organisms cope with and respond to extreme environmental conditions, and the insights this may provide in our rapidly changing world.
The Post-Doctoral Researcher will conduct novel laboratory (aquarium) and/or field experiments to advance scientific knowledge in this field and develop our understanding of the biology of corals in the Gulf. Candidates with strong backgrounds in molecular ecology, including application of various -omics based approaches, are desirable, and/or candidates with strong backgrounds in coral physiology, particularly around heterotrophy. The candidate will have wide latitude to develop research projects in areas of their particular strengths and interests, and will be provided an annual research budget. The position is intended to start in April/May 2022, although this is flexible depending on the candidate’s situation.
The Post-Doctoral Researcher will integrate into the existing lab of PIÂ John Burt, which includes post-doc’s and other research staff from the
NYUAD Marine Biology Lab, the NYUAD Water Research Center, and the NYUAD Center for Genomics and Systems Biology; they will later be joined by two additional post-docs from the recently established NYUAD Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental Sciences. They will join a diverse team of researchers that come from across the world, with projects spanning various coastal and marine ecosystems.
To be successful in this role you MUST possess the following to be considered:
- PhD in Biology, Marine Biology or equivalent from an accredited college or
- A strong publication record with first-author experience
- Dive certification from an accredited agency (PADI, BSAC or similar organization), with >50 dives experience
- Valid Driver’s License in home country
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise with external stakeholders, employees, management and students.
Previous experience in the following is desirable but not essential:
- Experience in multi-omics approaches to address ecological questions OR
- Experience in coral physiology, particularly around heterotrophy
- Experience in studying diverse aspects of the biology of coral reef fauna
- Ability to conduct multiple, possibly divergent, research projects simultaneously
- Ability to train junior technical staff to support operation and maintenance of research
- Mentoring of undergraduate students in a research setting
- Ability to plan, allocate, and monitor research budgets for projects
- Rescue diver and emergency oxygen certification is desirable
- Power boat operator certification is desirable
Hiring is contingent on successful clearance of security, health, and reference checks, among other HR-related processes. This will be a two- to three-year fixed term contract position (depending on the candidate’s preference), potentially renewable based on performance. The salary and benefits package are highly competitive, with benefits that include a housing allowance, annual flights, health care, benefits for dependents (if applicable) and more. Salary and benefits are fully tax free in the UAE. The position also comes with an annual research budget that will be managed by the candidate.
The closing date for applications is 15 December 2021, with interviews to begin in January 2022. Only those candidates shortlisted for an interview will be contacted. The applicant’s cover letter should provide a research statement that responds to the required/desirable experience specified above (maximum of 2 pages), and the CV should contain the names and contact information for three references. Please combine the cover letter and CV in a single PDF with the candidate’s name in the filename. TO APPLY, candidates should submit materials via email to John.Burt@nyu.edu with the email subject line “2022 Post-doctoral Application”.
