Marine Life Observatory Postdoc Positions: The Hopkins Marine Station (HMS), a division of the Department of Biology of Stanford University, has recently established a Marine Life Observatory (MLO) Program directed toward the nearshore environment of Monterey Bay. In an effort to better understand how nearshore marine ecosystems are influenced by oceanographic, anthropogenic and ecological factors, the Marine Life Observatory will explore how individual organisms, populations, and ecological communities vary over time and space and the processes driving such variation. Hopkins Marine Station is accepting applications for three two-year postdoctoral positions with research directed toward one of the following areas: * Ecological processes shaping long term dynamics of intertidal or kelp forest ecosystems. Applicants are expected to develop a vigorous research project that supports the establishment of a long-term monitoring program of the nearshore marine environment. Research will be based at HMS in Pacific Grove, California. Applicants should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, the names of three references, and a statement of research plans with respect to the MLO mission. Directed toward one of the three areas mentioned above, the research plan should be in the form of a short a proposal (up to 5 pages, not including reference). The research plan should detail the research activities proposed by the candidate, explaining how these efforts will advance the MLO mission to increase our understanding of the oceanographic, human and ecological processes driving variation of the nearshore marine communities of Monterey Bay. Review of applications will begin on March 15, 2009 and continue until the positions are filled. The appointment is anticipated to begin June 1, 2009. Interested candidates should apply online at AcademicJobsOnline.org. Stanford University has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity. In that spirit, we particularly encourage applications from women, members of ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Hopkins Marine Station occupies an exposed rocky headland that has proven to be an excellent location for an institution devoted to marine research in terms of both habitat diversity and ease of access to these habitats. The rocky intertidal is extensive, with offshore reefs and small islands that are accessible at low tide. On the leeward side is a protected beach, which provides for year-round water access for scuba diving and launching small boats, activities which are an integral part of the research at Hopkins Marine Station. Besides providing an area for the scientific study of marine invertebrates and algae, these reefs and offshore rocks are an important sanctuary for harbor seals, sea otters, and a variety of shore birds. Further offshore, submerged granite outcroppings provide the substrate for an extensive kelp forest community. The range of subtidal habitats found near Hopkins is representative of the entire central California coastal area. A century of intensive scientific study at Hopkins has proven this area to be an ideal location for studying the natural community structure of the nearshore environment. The biological importance of the intertidal and subtidal areas off Hopkins Marine Station was recognized by the State of California in 1931 when legislation was adopted establishing the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge . No other shoreline area in California has been studied as intensively as the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge. The area has been used primarily by scientists and students from Stanford University for field observation and identification of species, establishment of ecological study sites, and collection of specimens for laboratory observation and experimentation. In the past 30 years over 600 research papers dealing with various aspects of marine life in the refuge have been published by scientists working at Hopkins Marine Station. In addition, researchers from numerous other academic institutions and several governmental agencies have conducted research in the refuge. In 2005, the Hopkins Marine Life Refuge name was changed to Hopkins State Marine Reserve. In 2007, the California’s Marine Life Protection Act expanded the size of this reserve and renamed the Hopkins State Marine Reserve to the Lovers Point State Marine Reserve .
More importantly, the California’s Marine Life Protection Act positioned twelve new marine protected areas near Hopkins Marine Station. The Hopkins Marine Life Observatory is in a unique position to measure and document how the existing marine communities respond to the establishment of these marine protected areas and provides the opportunity to explore how individual organisms, populations, and ecological communities vary over time and space within the waters of the Monterey Bay. |
