Opportunities

Browse below for openings to join our dynamic team! We seek motivated, creative, and hard-working candidates to make the AEL a great place to work and learn. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for updates on job postings!

Technician Opportunities

Description: One full-time position for a research assistant is available in the Aquatic Ecology Lab at The Ohio State University. The Research Technician will work on the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and Ohio Department of Natural Resources– Division of Wildlife (ODNR-DOW) funded Lake Erie Plankton Abundance Study (LEPAS). LEPAS has been monitoring phytoplankton and zooplankton in Lake Erie since 1995.

The Research Technicians’ duties will include counting zooplankton samples, analyzing chlorophyll a samples, overseeing undergraduate volunteers/workers (helping with sample buffering, chlorophyll a samples, or counting Bythotrephes samples). The Research Technician will also mentor undergraduate workers and volunteers. Ideally, the Research Technician would also help manage the LEPAS plankton database, prepare data for collaborators, and assist in drafting proposals, annual reports, and proposal budgets.

Location: Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of faculty, post-docs, and students at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology in Columbus, Ohio.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in ecology or related field. One year experience in laboratory enumerating invertebrate taxa, preferably zooplankton, and/or conducting ecological research. This experience could include undergraduate or graduate research.

Salary: $17.10 - $22.50/hour plus a comprehensive benefits package. The offer for this position will fall within this range based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications.

How to apply: Applications (1. A cover letter describing career goals and relevant experience; 2. a CV or resume; and 3. Contact information for three references), can be submitted at The Ohio State University classified site: https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Research-Senior-Technician_R97548-1. If this link does not work, search R97548 on the OSU Workday job search site.

Please direct questions to Jim Hood (hood.211@osu.edu). We will start reviewing applications on February 19th and continue until the position is filled.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest college and the academic heart of the university. The College hosts 81 majors. With 38 departments, 20+ world-class research centers, and more than 2,000 faculty and staff members, students have the unique opportunity to study with the best artists, scholars, and scientists in their field. The College values diversity and offers a supportive, open, and inclusive community.

This information can be found in a pdf format here.

Job Description: A full-time technician position is available in Dr. Stuart Ludsin’s lab (ludsinlab.com) to assist on a field- and lab-based research project that is designed to help the Ohio Division of Wildlife understand the cause(s) of reduced yellow perch recruitment in central Lake Erie. This project requires extensive field sampling on Lake Erie during summer (May-June) for larval yellow perch, zooplankton, and predatory fish species, with the possibility of lab experiments in the future. Lab and computer work (e.g., zooplankton counting, diet processing, otolith preparation and analysis, data entry and visualization) will occur when not in the field. Opportunities to help with data analysis, presentation preparation, and manuscript writing may exist, depending on the incumbent’s skillset and experience.

Location: Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of technicians, students, post-docs, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). 

Qualifications: Successful applicants will be experienced, motivated, and capable of working effectively both independently and in collaborative groups. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, aquatic ecology, fisheries science, or a related field. All candidates should have a background or interest in aquatic ecology, be able to lift 22.5 kg (50 lbs.), be capable of sampling from a boat in (sometimes) rough conditions, be flexible enough to spend long days and/or nights sampling, and be willing and able to perform standard laboratory procedures. Prior aquatic field sampling experience is required, with undergraduate experiences counting.

Compensation: $17 – $19 per hour, depending on experience and education-level, plus a comprehensive benefits package. Funding exists for one year, with the possibility of staying on longer pending satisfactory completion of the job and (anticipated) continued funding. We would consider shorter-term (e.g., seasonal) arrangements, if needed.

Start date: A mid-April or early May start date is ideal, although exceptions can be made, if needed.

How to apply: Email the following materials in a single pdf to Mr. Andrew Foley (foley.493@osu.edu): 1) a cover letter that briefly describes your educational and research background/experiences, your career goals, your ideal start date, and the length of time you are looking to be employed; 2) your CV (or resume); 3) unofficial copies of your college/university transcripts; and 4) contact information for at least three professional references. Please place “Yellow Perch Technician” in the subject line of your email.

The application window will close on March 20th, 2024, but continue until a suitable candidate is found. Note that the application review process will begin immediately, given the need to secure a technician in time for the spring sampling season.

Contact information: For additional information, visit ael.osu.edu or u.osu.edu/ludsinlab/ or email Andrew Foley (foley.493@osu.edu).

Postdoctoral Opportunities

Description: Drs. Jim Hood and Stu Ludsin at The Ohio State University are seeking a postdoc to work on a Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) project focused on developing quantitative and qualitative models of the Lake Erie ecosystem to advance ecosystem-based fisheries management of Lake Whitefish, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Specifically, this project focuses on developing and evaluating conceptual models describing how the recruitment of the focal species is influenced by climate change, nutrient management, fishery harvests, and invasive species. We will engage stakeholders in a workshop to develop conceptual models as a fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) and also utilize an information-rich timeseries dataset to quantitatively evaluate those conceptual models. The post doc would be expected to use the timeseries data to quantitatively evaluate the ecosystem model and develop quantitative predictive models of recruitment that can ideally support ecosystem- based fisheries management by identifying potential indictor variables and management thresholds/targets.

Additional research responsibilities include writing, editing, and submitting manuscripts for publication; submitting annual progress reports to the GLFC; and presenting research talks to sponsors and stakeholders and at professional meetings. Opportunities to help mentor undergraduate and graduate student researchers and teaching can be made available, if desired.

Duration: Two years of funding exists for this position. An ideal start date for this position is Spring 2024, with a summer start being possible, if needed.

Qualifications: Required qualifications include: (1) a PhD in fisheries science, limnology, ecology, or related field; (2) a strong statistical background; (3) demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, as evidenced by first-authored publications; and (4) strong written and oral communication skills. Experience managing and analyzing large datasets with time-series analysis, structural equation models, or generalized additive models would be beneficial, as would the ability and desire to collaborate with academics and agency biologists.

Salary: $50,000-55,000 annually, depending on experience, plus comprehensive benefits package

Location: Successful candidates will join a dynamic, interactive group of faculty, post-docs, and students at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL), in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology. Office space and computer support will be provided in the AEL, located on Ohio State’s main campus. Annual support to attend scientific meetings will also be provided.

How to apply: Apply online at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus- Campus/Post-Doctoral-Scholar_R97052-2 (if this link does not work, search R97052 on the OSU Workday job search site). Please provide: 1) a cover letter, 2) a personal statement describing research interests, career goals, and relevant experience; 3) a current CV; and 4) contact information for three professional references. Questions about this position should be directed to Jim Hood (hood.211@osu.edu). We will begin reviewing applications on 23 February 2024.

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other basis under the law

This information can be found in a pdf format here.

Description: Drs. Casey Pennock (The Ohio State University) and Timothy Walsworth (Utah State University) are recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to develop fisheries population models to inform nonnative species management. We will develop a population model using a statistical catch-at-age framework to estimate age-specific abundance, natural and fishing mortality, and recruitment dynamics of nonnative Channel Catfish in the San Juan River using various datasets collected by the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program. The incumbent will also have opportunities to mentor graduate and undergraduate students and to collaborate on future grant proposals and follow-up projects. Support to attend scientific meetings will also be provided.

Location: The incumbent would join a dynamic, interactive group of faculty, post-docs, and students at the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, located on Ohio State’s Columbus campus. There will also be opportunities to travel to and spend time at Utah State University.

Qualifications. PhD in ecology, fisheries and/or wildlife biology, statistics, applied mathematics, or related discipline. We encourage all interested people to apply despite preconceived notions of their own experience as it relates to project objectives. The successful applicant will be creative, motivated, and capable of working both independently and cooperatively. Ideal candidates will have experience with population modeling, computer programming (ideally in R, though experience with additional programs such as JAGS, Stan, ADMB, or TMB is a plus), and a track record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career stage.

Salary: $60,000/year plus a comprehensive benefits package

Duration: 1.5 years, with potential for extension depending on performance and funding

How to apply: Please submit the following materials to Dr. Casey Pennock (pennock.17@osu.edu): 1) a cover letter that briefly describes your educational and research background and your interests and career goals; 2) your CV; and 3) contact information for at least three professional references. Please place “Nonnative Species Postdoc” in the subject line.

Application review will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. An ideal start date would be during winter/spring 2024. Please direct questions to Casey Pennock at pennock.17@osu.edu.

This information can be found in a pdf format here.

Undergraduate Opportunities

We are looking for qualified students to fill work-study positions at the AEL. Specific tasks for our Work-Study students include field sampling, in-lab sample processing, and data entry. We strive to ensure that Work-Study students also have opportunities to participate in lab and field research associated with other ongoing projects. AEL graduate students and faculty are committed to educating Work-Study students in the art of scientific research in a cooperative and supportive work environment. 

Projects with Dr. Lindsey Bruckerhoff: R88697 - apply here

Projects with Dr. Casey Pennock: R88875 - apply here

Projects with Dr. Jim Hood: R98164 - apply here

Projects with Dr. Stuart Ludsin: R84803 - apply here

 

AEL faculty seek energetic, committed undergraduate students who are interested in conducting research for OSU credit that focuses on ecologically oriented projects in freshwater ecosystems. For all projects, we ask students for, at minimum, a commitment of one year. For more information, please contact Drs. Lindsey BruckerhoffJim HoodStuart Ludsin, or Casey Pennock

If you are interested in volunteering in our lab, please reach out to Jenny Pfaff (pfaff.20@osu.edu). 

Graduate Opportunities

At the AEL we seek highly qualified, enthusiastic graduate students that are creative, motivated, and capable of working well both independently and cooperatively. Successful candidates would join a dynamic, interactive group of graduate students, post-docs, visiting scholars, and faculty at The Ohio State University’s Aquatic Ecology Laboratory (AEL) within the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB). Interested applicants should check back for postings (usually in late summer or early fall) or reach out to AEL faculty Lindsey BruckerhoffJim Hood, Stuart Ludsin, or Casey Pennock.