The position is available to conduct aquaculture research that complements our studies of fisheries enhancement (stock enhancement and restocking research) for recreationally important marine and estuarine fishes, particularly snook. The post-doc will be part of ongoing research focused on snook aquaculture, development of rearing techniques, and the nutritional, behavioral, or physiological attributes that influence survival of early-life-history stages of snook in both hatchery and natural settings. Research will be coupled with the evaluation of fisheries enhancement strategies in Sarasota Bay by using hatchery-reared fish as ecological probes. The post-doc will work with our fisheries and aquaculture research team to help design and conduct laboratory research that improves marine fish culture techniques and promotes wild-type attributes in hatchery-reared fish.

The post-doc will work as part of our multi-disciplinary research team that has decades of experience in marine fish aquaculture, habitat ecology, and potential applications of marine stock enhancement as a fisheries management tool. Their research will contribute to ongoing aquaculture activities examining the effects of density, diet, and environmental conditions on rearing success, establishing techniques to improve nutrition, behavioral attributes, or physiological performance of juveniles, and developing hatchery-protocols that improve approaches to responsible stock-enhancement. Future research will expand current studies of snook aquaculture, comparisons of wild and hatchery fish, and pilot-scale release-recapture experiments to probe fundamental questions that link the fields of marine aquaculture and fisheries enhancement. We are seeking a candidate with a strong background in marine fish aquaculture and experience with fish nutrition, behavior, or physiology during early-life-history stages. Grant writing and publication in peer reviewed literature are expected.

Application Information: The initial appointment is for two years with full benefits and a salary stipend; continued funding is available for an additional 2 year period, contingent upon satisfactory progress. Review of applications will begin immediately and we are hoping to fill the position by the Spring of 2018, or as soon as an appropriate candidate is identified. Salary is $45,000 in year 1, with annual increases based on performance.

Please send a CV, brief statement of research interests, and contact information for 3 people who can provide references to the Human Resources Department (humanresources@mote.org). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other protected category. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.