Department of Biological Sciences, Laboratories of Drs. Erin Bayne/Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell

One postdoctoral position is available immediately to support the ultrasonic bioacoustic research of the Bioacoustics Unit and the labs of Drs. Erin Bayne and Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell (PIs, Department of Biological Sciences) at the University of Alberta. The position is available for multiple years with review after the first year and the possibility for renewal up to 3 years.

Research in Drs. Erin Bayne and Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell labs focuses broadly on understanding aspects of animal ecology, behavior, and conservation through bioacoustic recording, including but not limited to how changes in and across the landscape, influence animals at multiple ecology scales. Historically, Bayne has had a focus on birds and Kalcounis-Rueppell on bats and mice. This project expands Bayne’s sampling framework across Alberta of hundreds of acoustic recording units that are equipped to sample in the sonic range for birds into the ultrasound for sampling bats and mice. This project also leverages the open data platform that Dr. Bayne oversees as a national repository for the acoustic, and other, data from birds that can be expanded to also include ultrasound data (https://www.wildtrax.ca/home).

 Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing coordination of the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) across Alberta with partners in Alberta including, but not limited to, Alberta Environment and Parks, the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute, and Parks Canada.
• Assist in and oversight of field research projects of graduate and undergraduate students, and other personnel to achieve targeted research objectives within timelines, in consultation with the PIs.
• Manage bioacoustic recordings, meta-, and GIS- data.
• Manage day-to-day operation of research laboratory, including maintaining equipment and supplies, overseeing troubleshooting of problems, and ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
• Analyze, interpret, and report research results; assist in preparation of publications and grant applications; present results in meetings, seminars, and conferences.

 The candidate possesses: 

• Ph.D. degree in Biology/Ecology or a related field.
• Experience with field work in remote, crepuscular/nocturnal settings, with wild animals.
• Experience manipulating and analyzing bioacoustic recordings and GIS data.
• Strong publication and presentation track record.
• Experience in mentoring and training students as part of a research team.
• Ability to work independently and within a team, including demonstrated leadership qualities and interaction with collaborators.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to present to a wide range of audiences.
• A commitment to field safety.

To Apply:

Forward your CV, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information for three references to: Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell (kalcounis.rueppell@ualberta.ca) Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada T6G 2G2.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

COVID-19 Vaccination: Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 in compliance with the University’s COVID-19 Vaccination Directive. Fully Vaccinated means a status an individual achieves 14 days after having received the recommended number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization, and requires the individual to maintain the recommended number and type of vaccine doses as updated and required by Health Canada thereafter.