The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program seeks to invest in data synthesis efforts to understand the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) on human communities at a broad scale across all Large Marine Ecosystems in the United States. The selected postdoc candidate would conduct data synthesis of existing datasets to create and/or foster data products that support understanding of socio-ecological and/or socio-economic vulnerability as identified in OAP’s Regional Vulnerability Assessment Workshop (see Gaps section on pgs 13-15) and the Interagency Working Group’s Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment (broken out by region). Data synthesis activities could include investigation of data on potentially impacted species, ecosystems, industries, and cultural resources to support development of vulnerability assessments. The purpose of data synthesis efforts would be to improve understanding of OA impacts on human communities, explore adaptive strategies, assess intervention actions, and empower affected communities to respond to ocean acidification. Priority topics include developing a vulnerability indicator framework methodology, improving socio-ecological and/or socio-economic models, determining the importance of sensitive species to communities and mapping community dependence on these species, synthesizing action plan responses, and integrating human community data into existing chemical and ecological data syntheses. 

NOAA OAP studies our changing ocean to better understand impacts of ocean acidification and how to adapt. OA threatens food security, economies, and culture because of its potential impact on marine ecosystem services. Connecting biological outcomes to the human impacts of OA is essential for preparing for the consequence of our changing ocean. In particular, NOAA OAP funds human community focused work through Regional Resiliency & Vulnerability Assessments and in partnership with the Coastal Acidification Networks.

 

The postdoc candidate will be sponsored by NOAA OAP. They will join the program with a small cohort of postdocs researching aspects of OAP’s OA research trifecta (ecosystem and species sensitivity, environmental change, and human dimensions). The OAP has mentored a number of graduate-level researchers through the years. All administrative activities will be handled by OAP. The candidate will be primarily mentored by Dr. Sarah Cooley, who serves as the Director of OAP. Dr. Cooley will serve as both the lead OAP and scientific mentor. She will guide the postdoc through the NRC process and be their liaison at NOAA headquarters.

key words

ocean acidification; acidification; data synthesis; human communities; vulnerability; resiliency

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants