Position Announcement: Research Associate / Post-doctoral research

Coastal Social-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS) and Advanced Conservation Strategies are currently looking for a researcher in «Systematic Solutions to Reduce Illegal Activity and Promote Fisheries Sustainability in the Humboldt Current». The Research Associate will be part of a collaborative team, and will have the opportunity to be part of multiple research efforts—all focused on designing sustainability solutions and moving them toward implementation. Applications until May 15th, 2022.

Project Background. Overfishing is rarely caused by a single action of a single actor. Rather, it typically results from multiple behaviors by multiple actors across a supply chain. Thus, it can be challenging to identify leverage points with the greatest potential to positively impact the sustainability of a fishery. Doing so requires to systematically consider the risks (and underlying drivers) to a fishery, the actors involved, and the behaviors performed by those actors. Because interventions necessarily attempt to trigger change somewhere within a fishery supply chain, identifying the risks, actors, and leverage points for potential changes across the entire landscape of a fishery is an important step to designing solutions to improve fisheries sustainability.

We are using established methodologies focused on systems thinking to identify and assess the landscape of risks, actors, and interventions for several fisheries in the Humboldt current. This includes kelp, Humboldt squid, southern hake, Pacific hake, kelp, crab, and octopus. Grounded in on-the-ground research in Perú and Chile, the work is leveraging existing data (i.e., secondary research) and collecting primary data via surveys, interviews, and workshops.

The Research Associate will be part of a collaborative team that is co-led by Advanced Conservation Strategies and the Coastal Social-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS). S/he will have the opportunity to be part of multiple research efforts—all focused on designing sustainability solutions and moving them toward implementation.

Roles & Responsibilities. The Research Associate will be responsible for leading and supporting different aspects of the overall project. This will include primary and secondary research, as well data analyses and synthesis. S/he will be required to work closely with the project team, who are based in Chile, Perú, and the United States. A priority for the Research Associate is to lead the syntheses of multiple projects for the publication of peer-reviewed articles and reports. The work schedule and location are flexible; however, regular calls with the program team are a priority, as well as in-person work sessions.

Qualifications & Skills. The ideal candidate is highly motivated to work at the intersection of research, conservation practice, and program design. S/he should be motivated to work within a team, learn new skills, and be interested in working across sectors and disciplines. The researcher should be motivated to work across the NGO, academic, and private sectors. The ideal candidate has at least five years of experience in the natural or social sciences. A post-graduate degree is highly desirable. Experience in conducting systems-level assessments and systematic reviews is also highly desirable. Experience in fisheries management and seafood markets is desirable. S/he should have strong inter-personal and writing skills and should be comfortable working remotely and independently. S/he should be willing to travel for certain aspects of the project.

Benefits. The position is full-time for one-year, with the possibility of an extension for two years total. The salary is highly competitive. The researcher will be supervised by Drs. Stefan Gelcich (Coastal Social-Ecological Research Institute) and Josh Donlan (Advanced Conservation Strategies). S/he will be Research Associates at both organizations. All research-related travel will be covered. Additional benefits include regular interactions with Chilean and Peruvian conservation practitioners and scientists.

Apply. Send your CV and a 1-page cover letter describing your motivations for applying for the position. Please also send 1-3 relevant publications (peer-reviewed or technical reports), three references, and when you would be able to start the position. Email applications to acs@advancedconservation.org with the subject line “Research Associate” by 15 May 2022.