[JOB][POSTDOC][MA] climate, physiology, and species interactions in the Gulf of Maine
Brian Cheng
Hello all,
I am hiring a postdoctoral researcher for a three-year position to examine the effects of climate on organismal physiology, species interactions, and community dynamics on marine taxa from the Gulf of Maine. Please forward this job description to any candidates or email lists that may be a good fit for this position. A summary is pasted below and full job description is attached.
Candidates should apply by emailing Brian Cheng (bsc...@umass.edu) by Sunday August 24, 2025 with the following:
- A 1-2 page cover letter describing their interest in the ideas and fit for the position
- CV (with contact information for two references)
- Two example writing products (published or forthcoming manuscripts)
Questions can be directed to Brian Cheng, bsc...@umass.edu
Thank you!
Brian
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Brian S. Cheng, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marine Ecology
Department of Environmental Conservation
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Brief Job Summary (see attached for full job description)
The postdoctoral researcher will join our NSF funded project (OCE #2441063) studying the ecological consequences of climate warming on organismal physiology and species interactions with marine invertebrates. The expected position length is for three years with an initial appointment of one year and renewals for years two and three pending satisfactory performance.
This research is focused on quantifying temperature dependency of physiological traits (thermal tolerance, growth, consumption, metabolic rate) across multiple species using laboratory and field approaches. Focal taxa for this project include crustaceans, gastropods, and echinoderms from the Gulf of Maine. The project will then use this empirical data to inform numerical models to forecast the ecological consequences of ocean warming. This research is highly integrative (merging oceanography, physiology, and numerical approaches) and the ideal candidate will have experience in these focal areas and/or a willingness and motivation to learn other areas
under the guidance of the mentor team. The postdoctoral researcher will also join our working group (ORCAS; Organismal Response to Climate: Analysis and Synthesis) to review and synthesize the published literature on climate, organismal physiology, and species interactions that will train at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) at Santa Barbara, CA.
The postdoctoral researcher will co-lead the field team, oversee laboratory experiments, numerical approaches, and lead manuscript writing. The researcher will work directly with the Marine Global Change Ecology Lab (PI Brian Cheng; University of Massachusetts Amherst) and collaborate closely with John DeLong (University of Nebraska at Lincoln) on numerical
approaches. The research will be conducted out of University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Gloucester Marine Station. We hope to have the researcher begin as early as fall 2025 or winter/spring 2026 but there is some flexibility in the exact start date
Salary Information
For individuals with 0-2 years’ experience: $62,965 annual salary plus benefits. With step raises based on satisfactory performance and depending on initial years of experience
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Brian S. Cheng, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marine Ecology
Department of Environmental Conservation
University of Massachusetts, Amherst