Postdoctoral Researcher: Emperor Penguin Foraging Ecology

The Vertebrate Ecology Lab at Moss Landing Marine Labs (San Jose State University Research Foundation) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher on the NSF funded project: Foraging Ecology and Physiology of Emperor Penguins in the Ross Sea. This is a full time, 22-month position with a start date of September 1st, 2023 (Start date is negotiable). Review of applications starts: June 28th, 2023.

The postdoctoral researcher will work under the direction of Associate Professor Birgitte McDonald. Our primary goal is to identify behavioral and physiological variability in foraging Emperor Penguins during two critical life history stages. We will investigate the foraging energetics, ecology, and habitat use of Emperor Penguins at Cape Crozier, the 2nd most southern colony, during late chick-rearing (field seasons Oct/Nov 2022 and 2024). Energy management is particularly crucial during late chick-rearing as parents need to feed both themselves and their rapidly growing offspring while being constrained to regions near the colony. Additionally, we are studying the ecology and habitat preference after the molt and through early reproduction using satellite-linked data loggers (field season Jan/Feb 2023). The postdoctoral scholar will take the lead on one or two aspects of the project. Potential projects include determining the habitat use of post-molt emperor penguins (tags are still collecting data), or investigating the foraging energetics of late chick-rearing emperor penguins. The last field season is tentatively scheduled for Oct/Nov 2024. The postdoc will also participate in mentoring of graduate students and outreach activities.

Postdoctoral term:                                  ~ Sep 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2025
Salary:                                                      $28-29 per hour (~$59,000/year) with benefits
Contact person:                                      Birgitte McDonald (birgitte.mcdonald@sjsu.edu)
Review of applications begins:              Jun 28, 2023   
 

If interested, please see here for more information including required and desired qualifications and application information. Applications must be submitted online.

https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/73729471