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The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is a large US Federal program
aimed at protecting and restoring the largest system of surface freshwater
in the world. Participating federal agencies are committed to implement a
science-based “adaptive management framework” to prioritize ecosystem
problems to be targeted, select projects to address the problems, and assess
the effectiveness of projects that are carried out. The framework describes
an iterative process of planning, project implementation, monitoring of
restoration effectiveness and ecosystem health, and prioritization of
ecosystem threats. The framework further outlines a general process by
which learning feedbacks should be incorporated into future iterations of
project selection.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: We seek a postdoctoral research associate to lead
development of an adaptive approach to the selection of restoration project
portfolios. The research will draw heavily on principles of decision
analysis, in which the valuation of decision outcomes and the building of
models to predict those outcomes are co-equal endeavors. The incumbent will
work with decision stakeholders from the participating agencies to frame the
decision making context, identify restoration priorities, characterize
uncertainties in predicting project outcomes, and design systems of
monitoring to assess satisfaction of project goals. The incumbent’s work
will focus on the western basin of Lake Erie, the pilot geography for this
effort. This project will result in protocols and technical tools for the
selection of projects, monitoring designs to focus learning feedbacks into
decision making, and publications to synthesize the work. The incumbent
will work under the direction of Dr. Clint Moore (USGS, Georgia Cooperative
Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,
http://www.coopunits.org/Georgia/People/Clinton_Moore) and will work closely
with other members of the research team, Dr. Peter Esselman (USGS – Great
Lakes Science Center) and Dr. Seth Guikema (University of Michigan,
http://ioe-guikema.engin.umich.edu).

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in ecology, natural
resource management, biometrics, natural resource economics, applied
mathematics, statistics, operations research, or related field. Candidates
should be able to demonstrate through study, work experience, or
publications the application of decision analysis to problems in natural
resources management. Competitive candidates will have one or more of the
following qualifications: a background in structured decision making and/or
adaptive management, knowledge of ecosystem restoration, skills and
experience with stakeholder workshops and facilitation, and facility in
modeling, estimation, and optimization. The candidate must have excellent
writing and interpersonal communication skills, and he/she must demonstrate
commitment to timely completion of deliverables, commitment to publication
of results in peer-reviewed outlets, and strong potential to work
collaboratively with multiple agencies on a highly visible research topic.
Occasional travel to stakeholder meetings and scientific conferences is
required. The candidate will be employed by the Georgia Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Georgia and based in Athens GA
during part of the year (up to 2 months) or periodically throughout the year
(depending on work load). The need for a high degree of contact and
face-to-face collaboration with USGS and other partner agencies requires
that the candidate work from the USGS – Great Lakes Science Center in Ann
Arbor, MI for the remaining 9-10 months of the year. The candidate selected
for the position must be able to meet eligibility requirements for work in
the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and
continue working legally for the proposed term of the appointment.

COMPENSATION: This is a full-time, fixed-term, non-tenure-track
appointment for up to 18 months. Extension of the appointment beyond 12
months is possible depending on funding availability and satisfactory
performance of the candidate. Annual salary is competitive and commensurate
with education and experience. Benefits include health insurance options
and paid leave; a full list of benefits offered by the University of Georgia
may be found at www.hr.uga.edu/benefits.

TO APPLY: Interested candidates should provide in a **single PDF
document** (1) a cover letter that addresses qualifications and skills in
the areas of expertise listed above, (2) a current vita, (3) a transcript of
PhD work indicating degree award date, and (4) the names and contact
information of three references who can attest to the candidate’s
qualifications. Send applications and inquiries by email to Dr. Clint
Moore, Assistant Unit Leader, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit, ctmoore@uga.edu. Applications will be accepted until August 5, 2016,
or until a suitable candidate is found.