FORECASTING THE CONSEQUENCES, FOR FISH POPULATIONS, OF WATER MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, IN RESPONSE TO ONGOING DROUGHT IN THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN
State and federal agencies will soon begin negotiating water-supply agreements that would govern water supply and storage in the Colorado River basin through 2046. To date, large-scale water-supply management decisions in the Colorado River basin have not considered the implications for river ecosystems or the recovery of federally listed fish species. In part, failure to consider these ecological implications is because scientists have not synthesized their assessment of the implications of significant changes in flow regime, river temperature, and other ecosystem drivers caused by changes in how much water is stored and released from the large reservoirs of the Colorado River basin.
We have begun such a synthesis and seek a highly motivated post-doctoral scientist to continue efforts to quantitatively link physical drivers and fish populations, identify uncertainties, and develop predictive models to support decision makers. For more background on the project see https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.2279 and h....
The post-doctoral researcher will work primarily with researchers at Utah State University in Logan, Utah and the US Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Arizona, but also interact with various experts working in the region for state, federal, academic and tribal organizations.
The successful candidate will have good interpersonal, organizational and communication skills and experience in either population modelling, structured decision making or related fields. Experience working in interdisciplinary teams, on water issues, or specifically in the Colorado River Basin is preferable, but is not a requirement for the position.
Term of appointment will be for at least 18 months and review of applications will begin on March 19, 2021. Interested applicants should send a CV, cover letter to cyackulic@usgs.gov.