Applications are being accepted for a Hakai Postdoctoral position at the University of British Columbia, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, and the University of Victoria, Department of Geography as part of the Hakai Coastal Initiative. Â The postdoc will be based in Victoria, Vancouver Island, and work under the supervision of Dr. Costa at UVic and Dr. Hunt at UBC. Â The focus of the research is to derive the spatial-temporal dynamic of coastal marine biophysical provinces of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska based on satellite imagery. Â The research is expected to address the following:
- Define the spatial-temporal dynamic of the biogeochemical properties of the coastal oceans of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska? Task: Define the coastal marine biophysical provinces based on time series of Sentinel 3 derived products (2016 to present).  This analysis will be used to identify spatially distinct Coastal Ocean Biogeochemical provinces and resolve coastal dynamics at high spatial resolution. (publication expected)
- Conduct inter-comparison of Sentinel 3 and other products to address retrospective long term analysis (2002- present) of the coastal oceans of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. Task: Investigate the integration of satellite-derived products at different temporal and scale resolutions to conduct long term analysis. (publication expected).
The technical objective of the postdoc project: In collaboration with the Hakai Institute (https://www.hakai.org/), the postdoc is expected to build upon the already developed imagery processing tools for batch processing of satellite imagery that can be operationally maintained by the Institute.
Ideal qualifications:
A Ph.D. degree (completed by the time of appointment) in an optical remote sensing and oceanography and/or Earth systems discipline. Â Expertise in ocean colour remote sensing/ocean ecology biogeochemistry is ideal. Â Other fields of expertise to be considered include oceanography, climate and atmospheric sciences, marine biogeochemistry, phytoplankton ecosystem ecology, scientific computing, and statistics.
Technical skills required: Programming skills (MATLAB®, python), statistical analysis skills, satellite imagery processing, analysis of multi-dimensional large data sets.
Application closure date:Â February 30th, 2020.
Start date:Â As soon as possible
Position Length:Â Two years, pending annual review
Salary:Â $59,000 + benefits
Applicants must submit:
- A CV, including the e-mail and phone number for three references;
- A short cover letter explaining the applicant’s motivation for working on the project and how previous experience qualifies them for this position;
- Reprints of 3 published papers, if available;
Equity and diversity are essential for academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nations, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.
Submit applications to:
Maycira Costa (maycira@uvic.ca) and Brian Hunt (b.hunt@oceans.ubc.ca).
Overall project background:
The coastal oceans of BC and SE Alaska are highly complex, influenced by oceanographic, climatic, and continental runoff processes that vary at different timescales. Â This region of interaction between continental runoff and the coastal ocean supports diverse food-webs and determines the habitat available to forage fish and salmon, and controls biogeochemical cycling. Â To date, no attempt has been made to characterize the spatial and temporal dynamics of the BC and SE Alaska coastal oceans. Â This limits, for example, our ability to understand the ocean conditions experienced by juvenile salmon along their migration route.