Seeking postdoctoral applicants for the Wisconsin Sea Grant Keillor Fellowship in Aquaculture
Application Deadline: June 14, 2020
Description The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), seeks postdoctoral candidates interested in addressing scientific challenges to advance aquaculture in Wisconsin. Together, these programs will fund a Keillor Fellowship in Aquaculture, named in honor of a longtime Sea Grant coastal engineering expert J. Philip Keillor, to celebrate his legacy in providing science to help support informed decisions for the sustainable use of Great Lakes resources. This Fellowship will provide a unique educational and career opportunity for a postdoctoral Fellow by placing them at the UWSP-Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility (UWSP-NADF) for two years, with the Fellow bringing technical skills to address aquaculture issues and challenges and receiving valuable real-world applied science experience from aquaculture professionals who will serve as mentors. This mutually beneficial partnership will advance the science to support aquaculture in Wisconsin as well as provide a valuable training opportunity for a new aquaculture professional. This position offers a unique opportunity for analyzing data and publishing manuscripts on a variety of species and systems from past projects as well as future research to be conducted at this internationally recognized, state-of- the-art research facility for applied aquaculture research. It is expected that approximately 50% of the position will be focused on past projects and 50% of the position will be focused on new projects.
Technical mentors for this fellowship will include: Gregory Fischer and Dr. Christopher Hartleb (UWSP-NADF Directors) with additional general fellowship support from Emma Wiermaa (UWSP-NADF and Sea Grant outreach and education specialist), Dr. Titus Seilheimer (Wisconsin Sea Grant Fisheries Outreach Specialist), and Dr. Jennifer Hauxwell (Wisconsin Sea Grant Associate Director). More information about NADF is here - https://aquaculture.uwsp.edu. Additional support from the UWSP NADF team will also be provided.
Below, we list the priority areas in which we seek scientific support and leadership:
• Synthesize existing data on a variety of past fish culture research projects and develop peer-reviewed publications to improve science-based knowledge for fish production. Some examples include:
o Review project results about the impact of starter microdiets for raising walleye fry for Great
Lakes aquaculture and synthesize into manuscripts for publication. o Evaluate project results for optimizing walleye stocking density and nutrient recycling in traditional and integrated aquaculture systems including review of project results, compile and analyze data, and prepare manuscripts for publication. o Review project results for yellow perch research work and synthesize into manuscripts for publication o Review project results for recirculation systems and fish health treatment regimes with the USGS
and prepare manuscripts for publication
• Assist with new research projects at NADF:
o Evaluate approaches for overcoming barriers to support growth of land-based Atlantic salmon
production in the Great Lakes Region. This includes working with private-industry partners and agencies. Assist with reviewing data and publication of manuscripts. o Assist with a Sea Grant-funded project examining nanobubble oxygenation of recirculating
aquaculture systems to increase fish production including design modifications, data collection, analysis, and report preparation.
• Continue efforts on walleye food-fish production including the commercial application of out-of- season spawning of walleye. This involves developing a culture manual and video series. Publication of white papers related to this effort. Prepare and present project findings to a variety of audiences, including regulators, scientists, and interested stakeholders. Work cooperatively with Sea Grant, the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association, and other businesses & individuals from Wisconsin’s aquaculture community.
• Work with Wisconsin Sea Grant Outreach and Communications Team to develop Eat Wisconsin Fish initiative
Eligibility Any student or postgraduate who will have graduated between fall 2018 and summer 2020 with a degree in aquaculture, fish biology, or a related field is eligible to apply. It is expected that applicants will possess a strong background in aquaculture and fish biology, strong analytical skills, an ability to manage projects and work independently, and excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to publish peer reviewed scientific journal articles. Fellows must have completed all degree requirements before starting the fellowship.
Stipend and Expenses Postdoctoral Fellows earn $55,000, with additional benefits (see - http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/benefits/new- emp/grad.aspx). Fellows will be allotted up to $4,000 annually to cover fellowship-related travel that can include conferences.
Application Requirements Application packages should be sent to jennifer.hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu at the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute and should include: 1. A cover letter that describes your background and abilities, your expectations from the fellowship experience
and how this experience fits with your career goals. (2 pages or fewer) 2. Curriculum vitae with relevant educational, professional and volunteer experience. (no length limit) 3. Copies of undergraduate and graduate student transcripts. Scanned copies are acceptable. 4. Two letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s major professor; if no major professor
exists, another faculty member at the same institution, familiar with your academic record, may be substituted. References should email letters directly to jennifer.hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu. 5. Up to 4 writing samples, both formal and informal (e.g., journal articles or other technical documents,
popular articles, web resources, etc.) Please use the naming convention “Last name – description of file” for all files associated with the application
(e.g. “Smith – cover letter”, “Smith – cv”, “Smith – transcripts”, etc.).
Selection Process Sea Grant and UWSP-NADF staff will identify a short list of candidates for interviews. Interviews will be conducted by a panel of Sea Grant and UWSP-NADF staff members to determine the best fit for the position.
Length of Assignment The length of assignment is for two years with an anticipated start of fall 2020. This timeline may be adjusted to accommodate academic semester needs or the needs of the candidates or funding institutions. This position will generally be located at the NADF facility near Bayfield, WI but may spend time at other campuses (Stevens Point, Madison) or working remotely when possible.
Timeline June 14, 2020 – Deadline for submission of applications Late June/early July 2020 – Interviews September 1, 2020 (approx.) – Fellowship begins
Additional Information If you have any questions, please contact: Jennifer Hauxwell at jennifer.hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu.
Note: Work arrangements and timeline may need to be flexible and may evolve amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, adhering to all University of Wisconsin-Madison and state directives and guidance.