[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoc at University of Victoria - Kelp Carbon

[Neda Kasraee]

Applications are being accepted for the Postdoc position focused on Estimating
the Kelp Carbon Standing Stock in British Columbia at the University of
Victoria, Department of Geography, in the SPECTRAL Remote Sensing Lab. The
postdoc will be based in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada, and will work
under the supervision of Dr. Maycira Costa from UVic and in collaboration
with Veritree (https://www.veritree.com/), Vancouver, Canada. This position
is part of Mitacs Elevate project, in partnership with Veritree.


*Project Context: *

Ocean-based activities for atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR) are
currently an important topic in the literature due to the urgency of
climate change mitigation and solutions. Some potential ocean-based CDR
actions are the conservation and afforestation or restoration of ecosystems
to increase coastal blue carbon, i.e., the carbon sequestered and stored in
natural salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses. Particularly, kelp forests
have been indicated to contribute considerably to the blue carbon stock due
to their high spatial coverage and high net primary productivity. To define
the potential for CDR of kelp forests, several key estimates are required:
first, estimating the carbon standing stock (CSS), which refers to the
amount of carbon stored in the kelp forest; second, estimating the quantity of
this stock that is exported; and finally, estimating the amount of exported
carbon that is stored in the seafloor for at least 100 years. These
estimates present significant challenges to achieve. Here, we aim to
utilize the best available data to address the first point needed for
understanding the potential kelp CDR: estimating floating kelp carbon
standing stock. To achieve this, we will use advanced satellite mapping
tools developed by the Spectral and Remote Sensing lab at UVic and field
surveys across various coastal zones, capturing kelp density, biomass, and
carbon content under different environmental conditions. We aim to estimate
the CSS of canopy-forming kelp species through these efforts, providing
valuable insights into their role as carbon sinks. This knowledge will
enhance our understanding of kelp forests' carbon storage capacity in
British Columbia and lay a foundation for evaluating the potential benefits
of kelp forest restoration projects.


 *Ideal qualifications: *

• A Ph.D. degree (completed by the time of appointment) in
biology/geography/oceanography/marine ecology or related discipline. Within
5 years of PhD completion, to qualify for MITACS.

• Established publication record

• Record of successful project management and collaboration

• Fieldwork experience and a driver’s license

• Demonstrated expertise in advanced statistical methods and remote sensing
and spatial data analysis skills is important.

• Interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work both
independently and collaboratively with coastal communities.


The full posting is available here:
https://webform.mitacs.ca/en/opportunity/13659/view


If you have any questions, you may reach out to the partner organization
(Neda Kasraee - neda.kasraee at veritree.com) or academic advisor (Maycira
Costa - maycira at uvic.ca).
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