Postdoctoral Researcher

Project Description: In partnership with the Hatchery Modernization Team at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Aquatic Research Cooperative Institute  at SFU, the Fisheries Management Lab  is looking for a Postdoctoral researcher to lead a project on social-ecological traps associated with hatcheries. Recent approval of several hatcheries represents a rare opportunity to strategically revise governance structures, objectives, policies, and actions to avoid social-ecological traps. This project aims to identify types of socio-ecological traps, risk factors, and potential mitigations to aid in hatchery modernization efforts. Specifically, this project involves conducting a literature review of social-ecological traps associated with enhancement, conducting interviews with staff and partners (rightsholders and stakeholders) of particular hatcheries and the broader hatchery system, analyzing stakeholder and rightsholder interrelationships to explore how social-ecological traps might have formed, and identifying avenues to escape these traps. 

Qualifications: The successful candidate will have:

-A PhD by the time they begin the position.

-A background in group concept/interrelationship mapping   and/or network analysis.

-A strong record of publication. 

-Experience conducting and analyzing data from semi-structured interviews and/or focus groups.

-Experience writing literature reviews and policy guidance documents. 

Position Details: Salary will be commensurate with the research experience of the applicant with a salary range of $70 - $75K. The position is full time (35hrs/week) for one year, with the option to extend based on performance  and funding availability. The ideal start date is Sept 2025, however the position is subject to final funding approval. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. 

How to Apply: Applicants should email a CV and brief cover letter to arc_lead@sfu.ca  with the subject header “Social-Ecological Traps Post Doc”. The cover letter and CV should be formatted as a single PDF and file names should start with the last name of the applicant. Applications will be reviewed starting July 25, 2025, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

-The cover letter should be less than two pages and address:

oRelevant work experience

oResearch successes

oSpecific research interests in this project

oAny experience working with Indigenous Peoples

oTiming of your availability

-The CV should reference relevant education, work experiences, and contact information for three references. 

Simon Fraser University: The successful candidate will be working out of the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus.   SFU is committed to ensuring that no individual is denied access to employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability or qualifications. Consistent with this principle, SFU will advance the interests of underrepresented members of the work force, including Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized persons, and women; embrace gender and sexual diversity; ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to all who seek employment at the  University; and treat all employees equitably. Candidates that belong to underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

More information: https://www.aquatic-research-cooperative.ca/