Post Doctoral Research Associate - Gloucester Marine Station

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

About UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station

The UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station is located 2.5 hours west of Amherst, in the coastal community of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Opened in 1970, and fueled by a new 5-year strategic plan and infusion of state and university funding, the station is undergoing significant resilient infrastructure upgrades, added program capacity, enhanced lab space and applied research & engagement opportunities for students, faculty and partners.

About the North Shore Blue Economy Initiative

Our goal over the next 10 years is to build and implement a resilient, sustainable, equitable and integrated North Shore Blue Economy network that leverages our strengths and positions the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities. The winter 2021 release of the NSBE Phase I Findings and Vision Forward Report () shows blue economic growth projected at the intersection of sustainable seafood, coastal resilience, marine science and technology, and floating offshore wind development. Moving into Phase II of this work, strategic priorities include: 1) Growing the NSBE network; 2) Developing workforce training and education to drive NSBE job creation; 3) Branding and market the North Shore's vision of a resilient, sustainable, and equitable Blue Economy; and 4) Fundraising and increasing access to capital that will foster entrepreneurship and incubate Blue Economy enterprises and initiatives.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will work at the UMass Amherst Gloucester Marine Station to support the regional North Shore Blue Economy (NSBE) initiative and facilitate establishment of a NSBE Phase II program focused primarily on strategic priority #2 above (Develop workforce training and education to drive NSBE job creation). Collaborating with an established network of NSBE industries and training/education institutions, regional Workforce Boards, economic development organizations, community leadership the candidate will update foundational components of 2020 NSBE analysis as needed, refine a focused database of NSBE industries, and develop a process to assess NSBE industry skills gaps now and for projected future blue economy workforce needs. The candidate will leverage findings from several recent and ongoing assessments to help guide development of a targeted training program(s) to ready pathways toward projected regional job growth at the intersection of sustainable seafood, marine science & technology, coastal resilience, and floating offshore wind development.

Essential Functions

Examples of duties:

• Assessment and Analysis: Building off of NSBE Phase I Findings & Vision Forward report and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Workforce Equity Planning Grant findings (expected in Jan 2023) and collaborating with a skilled regional network of partners:
  
  
  
  • Conduct the socioeconomic analysis and stakeholder engagement needed to frame a comprehensive foundation for a regional blue economy job training program. This could include survey development and use of multiple datasets. Ripe opportunities exist with the floating offshore wind development supply chain stemming from the Salem, MA port. Intersections with rebuilding the business structure for a sustainable fisheries supply chain and projected marine science and technology skills needs.
  • Produce reports and publications to communicate findings and catalyze applied, on-the-ground action.
  
  
  
  
• Relationship Building: Help inform strategies to grow and connect NSBE businesses, state and federal agencies, nonprofits, and community partners.
• Operations: Manage communications and coordination with an evolving NSBE Workforce Development network. Document and organize cross-sector collaboration to ensure transparent, reliable communications that promote regional collaboration.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience)

• Doctoral degree.
• Professional experience leading teams, establishing successful large programs or businesses.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (e.g., PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Word).
• Proficient managing online meeting platforms (e.g, Zoom, Teams).

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience)

• Highly organized multi-tasker.
• Driven, creative thinker.
• Confident public speaker.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Team player and able to accomplish tasks alone.
• Relationship builder.
• May help establish and manage a dashboard of metrics to communicate progress against goals.

Additional Details

This is a an initial two (2) year appointment with the possibility of reappointment based on funding and performance.

Work Schedule

This position will be physically located at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Gloucester Marine Station in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Remote work and travel to local and regional meetings, as Covid-19 safety precautions permit, is negotiable.

Salary Information

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume/CV, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. ()

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.