Position Announcements
Research Associate for Great Lakes Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Information System (GLANSIS)
Research Associate for Great Lakes Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Information System (GLANSIS)
The Great Lakes have been heavily impacted by aquatic nonindigenous species (ANS) since the 1800s, and now over 180 ANS appear to be established here. A huge wealth of data is distributed among journals, gray literature, electronic literature sources and on-line databases, making it unmanageable for any individual. NOAA & USGS launched the Great Lakes Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Information System (GLANSIS: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/glansis/glansis.html) in 2008 to provide a comprehensive, quality controlled, easily accessible on-line database of Great Lakes ANS information. Among the goals of GLANSISS are to 1) provide a comprehensive source of authority up to date Great Lakes ANS information and 2) compile and update information relevant to the species in the database.
The present version of GLANSIS does not include range expansion species or potential invaders. GLANSIS includes a field for impacts, but presently the information in these fields is inconsistent and insufficient to support management decision-making. Bibliographic information is currently limited. In addition, species fact sheets are aimed at a technical / scientific audience, yet there is growing awareness and interest among the general public and legislators. Simplified version of GLANSIS fact sheets are needed that will be informative for the general public.
Duties:
- Expand GLANSIS to include species that are native to part of the Great Lakes basin but considered nonindigenous and/ or invasive in other parts of the basin.
- Expand GLANSIS to include detailed information (identification guides, life history, biology, habitat preferences and requirements, native range, invasion history elsewhere, monitoring methods, current invasion maps, potential ecosystem interactions and effects) on species identified through modeling and risk assessment studies and in the published literature as posing a high-risk of potentially successful future invasion of the Great Lakes aquatic Ecosystem.
- Assist GLERL in screening and revising GLANSIS fact sheets to improve consistency with respect to realized and potential ecosystem/resource impacts associated with each species to support management decision-making needs.
- Reviews web-based holding (bibliographies, scientific publications, electronic publications, grey literature, and outreach publications) of the defunct SGNIS site (IL-IN Sea Grant Program), transfer relevant holdings into the GLANSIS/USGS information system, and proof them for accuracy.
- Work with IL-IN Sea Grant specialist to prioritize species based on public interest and to develop non-technical (public) fact sheets for those species for inclusion in the GLANSIS database.
Qualifications: The incumbent will have a minimum of a Master of Science degree in aquatic ecology with research experience on invasive species biology. Experience with database management, be able to work independently and as a part of a technical team, and have strong interpersonal skills. Desired qualifications include a Ph. D in aquatic ecology, familiarity with risk assessment, life history characteristic of invasive species, and response strategies. This is a 12-contractual position with opportunity for renewal based upon funding availability. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.