Senior Post-Doctoral Research Fellow – Quantitative Marine Ecologist

Job Purpose

Project Title: Climate adaptation, Environmental Drivers and Phenology of Seasonal Recruitment Dynamics of Doryteuthis gahi (Loligo) in the Falkland Islands.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone to drive understanding of the dynamics of the Loligo fishery in the South Atlantic. This senior postdoctoral position will lead research on the environmental and phenological drivers of recruitment dynamics in Doryteuthis gahi (Patagonian longfin squid, Loligo) — a key species in the Falkland Islands fisheries. The role will analyse long-term fishery and environmental datasets to understand how changing ocean conditions influence recruitment timing, season duration, and cohort composition. Results will directly inform adaptive management and forecasting for one of the region’s most valuable fisheries.

Job Facts & Figures

This is a 2-year full-time position based with SAERI. The position will work with the Falkland Islands Government Fisheries Department, South Atlantic Laboratories Ltd, Loligo Producers Group and SAERI.

The position is technical in nature. The successful candidate will report project progress to a Project Management Group (PMG) comprising representatives from SAERI, the Directorate of Natural Resources and the fishing industry.

The candidate will have:

• Access to large squid fishery datasets.
• Access to a unique 30-year oceanographic time series.
• Opportunity to work with government scientists and industry.
• Opportunity to publish internationally.

The position will report to the PMG and will be line managed by SAERI’s CEO. Probation period: 6 months.

Main Accountabilities

The successful candidate will, through a synthesis of extant data and available remote sensing data, examine the following:

• Compile and standardise 30 years of fishery-dependent and fishery-independent datasets on D. gahi.
• Integrate environmental and oceanographic datasets, including P1/P5 transect data (to the east and south east of the Falkland Islands) and satellite-derived metrics (e.g., SST, chlorophyll-a, sea level anomaly).
• Analyse long-term trends in recruitment timing and phenology using time-series and multivariate approaches.
• Conduct statolith ageing and microchemical analyses to reconstruct hatch dates and thermal histories.
• Quantify match–mismatch dynamics between hatching periods, environmental conditions, and fishing seasons.
• Develop empirical and predictive models linking environmental variability to recruitment strength and season performance.
• Collaborate with FIFD and SAERI scientists to facilitate the application of research findings to fisheries management and stock assessment frameworks.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific and stakeholder meetings.

Pathways to Impact — Deliverables/Capacity Building

• A review and synthesis of current understanding and data availability.
• The project will deliver a series of reports and peer reviewed papers capturing the work conducted, including a report on predictive models on Loligo cohort recruitment.
• Provide recommendations for future data collection and analyses. This will also create opportunities for wider collaboration.

The job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive definition of the duties attached to this post. The successful incumbent shall undertake such additional or other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager commensurate with the position.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential: PhD (or equivalent) in Marine Ecology, Oceanography, Fisheries Science, or Quantitative Ecology.

Desirable: MSc in a fisheries related subject.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Good knowledge and experience of statistical modelling (demonstrable use of R and/or Matlab) and GIS skills.
• Demonstrated experience with ecological or environmental time-series and multivariate statistical analysis.
• Experience handling large, multi-source datasets (e.g., fisheries, CTD, or satellite data).
• Knowledge of age and growth techniques, specifically experience with statoliths.
• Sound knowledge of fisheries oceanography.
• Demonstrated use of remote sensing data in oceanography.
• Experience with analyses of large datasets.
• A proven track record in peer reviewed literature.
• Willingness to participate in fieldwork and research cruises in remote environments.

Desirable: experience developing or applying predictive or forecasting models.

Personal Attributes

Essential: ability to manage time where there are multiple demands; ability to work well in a small team; resourceful, curious and open minded; strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to work independently.

Desirable: familiarity with the Falkland Islands environment.

About SAERI

SAERI is a Research Institute conducting research in the South Atlantic from the tropics down to the ice in Antarctica. SAERI’s remit includes the natural and physical sciences. Its Vision is to deliver world-class environmental research that informs the effective stewardship of our planet, and its Mission is to grow a sustainable environmental research institute in the Falkland Islands through partnership working to build capacity and inform the delivery of global environmental stewardship (www.south-atlantic-research.org).

SAERI offers a dynamic working environment with opportunities to develop exciting research opportunities and collaborations locally and internationally in what is considered to be a scientific ‘frontier’ region.

Benefits

• Sick leave.
• Annual Leave.
• Flights.
• Relocation grant.

How to Apply

In order to be considered, please submit a completed job application, a CV and a letter addressing the requirements of the job.

More information and application: https://hr.breathehr.com/recruitment/vacancies/48231?identifier=saeri