Seabird ecology postdoc at Bowdoin College and on Kent Island

https://careers.bowdoin.edu/postings/13586

The Biology Department at Bowdoin College and the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island invite applications for a full-time, benefits-eligible postdoctoral fellow position in the area of seabird and climate change research for the 2024-2025 academic year. The appointment begins May 15, 2024, and is a one-year position with the possibility of a second year pending review and reappointment. A PhD in ecology or a related field is expected by the date of appointment.

The Doherty postdoctoral fellow will conduct research with Leach’s storm-petrels, Hydrobates leucorhous, at the Bowdoin Scientific Station for 90 days of the year, primarily during the summer field season between June and late September. The Station is located in the Bay of Fundy on Kent Island, New Brunswick, Canada (https://www.bowdoin.edu/kent-island/index.html). Leach’s storm-petrels have been monitored here since 1953, generating a rich long-term dataset. The postdoc will engage with and supervise undergraduates in the annual population monitoring of petrels. In addition, the postdoc will participate in the initiation of a grant-funded project to study petrel behavior using a combination of RFID tag monitoring, burrow strain gauge load cells, and GPS tagging. These projects provide opportunities for independent research and publications.

During the academic year, the postdoc will teach one course of their own design pertaining to ornithology, climate change, data analysis, evolutionary ecology, or conservation on Bowdoin’s main campus in Brunswick, Maine. In addition, they will continue to engage with the Kent Island projects, including mentoring student research.

Bowdoin College offers opportunities for professional development including robust programming and resources for establishing and enhancing mentoring networks. The College also offers mentoring and support for teaching, scholarship, publication, digital initiatives, computing software, conference travel, and community partnerships in courses.
Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to undergraduate liberal arts education. We encourage applications from candidates committed to the inclusive instruction and support of a diverse student population and who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. The Bowdoin community warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds. We especially encourage people from historically excluded groups to apply. Accessibility during the application and interview stages, as well as once employed, is a priority of the College: https://www.bowdoin.edu/accessibility/index.html.

Eligibility to travel: Although the position is based in the U.S., travel to Canada is required. Accordingly, any offer of employment will be contingent upon the individual’s ability to obtain authorization to travel to Canada multiple times for research purposes and to re-enter the U.S. upon return.

Desirable qualifications include:
- a record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
- field experience with vertebrates in remote locations
- experience mentoring undergraduate students in research
- experience working with large datasets, including using languages R and Python
- experience with Arduino wiring and programming
- familiarity with spatial analyses (GIS)
- experience teaching (TA acceptable) at the undergraduate level

Bowdoin College accepts only electronic submissions. Please visit https://careers.bowdoin.edu to submit: 1) a cover letter that includes a summary of your scholarly focus, experience relevant to the listed desirable qualifications, and a description of your teaching philosophy and experience and how your approach demonstrates a commitment to inclusive excellence in teaching; 2) a curriculum vitae; and 3) the names and contact information for three references who have agreed to provide letters of recommendation. Letter writers will be automatically contacted upon submission of your application.

Review of applications will begin on March 6, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

Founded in 1794 on the Maine coast, Bowdoin is one of the oldest and most selective coeducational, residential liberal arts colleges in the country. Located in Brunswick, a 30-minute drive north of Portland, the College is in an area rich with natural beauty and year-round outdoor activities. Bowdoin’s reputation rests on the excellence of its faculty and students, intimate size, strong sense of community, and commitment to diversity (38% students of color, 7% international students and 17% first generation college students). Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses. For further information about the College and our department, please visit our website: http://www.bowdoin.edu.