Job Opportunities & Fellowships

Job Opportunities

National Sciences Foundation – Program Director

The National Science Foundation is seeking qualified candidates for several Program Director positions in the Division of Earth Sciences (EAR). NSF program officers oversee the merit review process, make proposal recommendations, identify emerging trends and long-range plans for the field, communicate advances in supported research, and partner with programs across NSF and with other federal agencies and organizations. The Division of Earth Sciences welcomes applications from experts with experience in basic research who can help shape, invigorate, and manage portfolios that support basic research and education to further understanding of the structure, composition, and evolution of the Earth, the life it supports and the processes that govern the formation and behavior of the Earth’s materials. We are looking for candidates with expertise in the following areas: Geobiology, Low-Temperature Geochemistry, Tectonics, Critical Minerals and Interdisciplinary Earth Sciences – including all discipline areas that are supported by EAR programs (https://www.nsf.gov/div/index.jsp?div=EAR) These positions are available as both permanent and rotator positions.Questions can be directed to Dr. Dena Smith-Nufio, Division Director of Earth Sciences (dmsmith@nsf.gov), or Dr. Steve Mackwell, Section Head of Disciplinary Programs in Earth Sciences (smackwel@nsf.gov).

HelloGov – Sr. Cloud and Data Engineer

We are seeking a Sr. Cloud & Data Engineer with a background in software engineering, cloud computing, and data science to support the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) office within National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Candidate must possess a Public Trust clearance.

  • Perform software development for IOOS Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC)-related open source software packages in Python (e.g. ioos_qc, compliance_checker, ioos_code_lab) and other programming/scripting languages (e.g. Java, JavaScript, UNIX shell). Apply knowledge of Python data and data science tools – the ‘Scientific Python’ suite of tools in particular – to data management challenges and the needs of the IOOS DMAC system and associated DMAC community (Regional Association (RA) data managers, commercial partners, and users/stakeholders of IOOS’ data). Serve in a maintainer role for selected IOOS and IOOS-affiliated open source software projects hosted on GitHub.
  • Contribute to the design and development of data distribution systems for DMAC that leverage commercial cloud-based services. Advance the IOOS DMAC system’s ability to deliver ocean observation and forecast data to users efficiently and effectively using the cloud. Participate in the technical oversight of work performed by IOOS commercial partners on cloud-related projects.
  • As a member of the IOOS DMAC team, translate stakeholder requirements into real-world technical solutions. Improve visualizations of IOOS’ oceanographic datasets using GIS or similar mapping or plotting tools, both for end users and in planning scenarios for observing system build out.
  • Details

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine; Gulf Research Program – Executive Director

The Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine is looking for a Deputy Executive Director. Incumbent will have program expertise and experience related to at least one unit of the division. Supports the Executive Office in management, policymaking, and planning activities. Maintains productive internal and external relations. Consistently exercises substantial discretion and independent judgment and has authority to formulate, affect, interpret, or implement management priorities, policies, or practices. Has responsibility for establishing budgets and staffing plans. Incumbent will interact with executives on high-level functional issues, providing recommendations and solutions with full understanding of cross-organizational impact and needs. Cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational and GRP policies. May serve as Acting Executive Director in the absence of the Executive Director. Reports to Executive Director.

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine; Gulf Research Program – Program Officer

This position is for a Program Officer (PO) for the GRP’s Environmental Protection and Stewardship Board (GEPS). The PO is responsible for developing and managing one or more of the organization’s programs or projects within the GEPS Board’s portfolio that align with the mission of the Gulf Research Program (GRP) in accordance with the GRP’s Strategic Plan and the settlement agreement. Develops program or project strategy and budget, supervises staff, and ensures program meets objectives. The position requires advanced knowledge of the Gulf of Mexico and physical and/or biological science. The incumbent will work in a team environment designing and implementing work done under the purview of GEPS. This work includes working with the Board members and staff team members to design programmatic activities, long-term plans, and projects and programs that deliver impact in Gulf communities.

University of Miami – Assistant Professor in Physical Oceanography

The Department of Ocean Science at the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science is seeking candidates for an Assistant Professor (tenure track) in sea-going Physical Oceanography who complements the interdisciplinary nature of the ocean sciences program. Candidates with emphasis on either open-ocean or coastal research are encouraged to apply. We recognize that diversity among our faculty leads to the best science, and we strongly encourage applications from women and minorities.  Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography or related discipline. Faculty will be expected to develop and maintain an internationally recognized research program as well as develop and teach undergraduate and graduate classes. A preference will be given to Assistant Professor, but exceptional candidates may be considered at higher levels.

Mote Marine Laboratory — Several Openings

Mote Marine Laboratory, a nonprofit marine research laboratory based in Sarasota, Florida, that also includes a public aquarium, has a positions open. Their current employment openings are listed below.

  • Coral Resilience Research Scientist
  • Technician – Ocean Acidification
  • Staff Biochemist
  • Camps Program Coordinator
  • Position Details

Postdoctoral Positions

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) – Postdoctoral Associate

Applications for the postdoctoral fellowship program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) are currently being accepted! MBARI’s mission is to advance marine science and engineering to understand our changing ocean. Our work focuses on diverse areas of marine and engineering research—from atoms to ecosystems. MBARI is dedicated to the development of innovative instrumentation, systems, and methods supporting scientific research in the oceans. Teams of scientists and engineers are collaborating to build innovative tools to transform what we know about ocean processes and ocean health. Ongoing programs at MBARI span marine robotics, ocean physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and engineering. Postdoctoral Fellows conduct independent research in association with one or more mentors to advance their training and career development while bringing new perspectives and skills to collaborations within MBARI. Applicants should connect with potential research sponsors at MBARI, see list below, for guidance on project feasibility, relevance to ongoing research projects, resource availability, and expected start date. Offers will be made to selected candidates from the fields of biological, chemical and physical oceanography, marine geology, and engineering. Candidates must be awarded a Ph.D. degree prior to commencing the two-year appointment starting between 2023 and 2024 and complete the fellowship onsite.

NOAA; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences – Postdoctoral and Senior Associates

The National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research seeks a postdoctoral scientist in remote sensing photogrammetry of coastal and marine habitats using unoccupied autonomous systems. The program conducts research and syntheses to develop decision support tools, geospatial models, and data products to inform coastal ecosystem management. They use a suite of field sampling and remote-sensing tools, advanced underwater remote sensing and hydroacoustics technologies, underwater optics, autonomous underwater vehicles and scuba diving to design ecological assessments and experiments to understand impacts of stressors on coastal marine ecosystems. The primary focus for this opportunity will develop remote imaging techniques such as photogrammetry and structure-from-motion using airborne and underwater optics to develop high-resolution digital models for use in ecological research and modeling for the assessment of coral reef ecosystems and restoration.

NRC Research Associateship Programs Postdoctoral and Senior Research Awards

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine sponsors awards for postdoctoral and senior researchers at participating federal laboratories and affiliated institutions.  These awards include generous stipends ranging from $45,000 – $80,000 per year for recent Ph.D. recipients, and higher for additional experience.  Limited graduate level awards are also available. These awards provide the opportunity for recipients to do independent research in some of the best-equipped and staffed laboratories in the U.S. Research opportunities are open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and for some of the laboratories, foreign nationals.

Fellowships and Internships

University of Miami, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) -Research Associate II 

The principal objectives of the position will be to manage several molecular biology lab spaces to support NOAA’s growing efforts in ‘Omics. The incumbent will work regularly with NOAA and Cooperative Institute (CI) scientists to ensure lab spaces are fully operational and utilizable to their greatest capacity. A variety of ‘Omics tools (e.g., metabarcoding, metagenomics, & transcriptomics) are utilized within these labs to help meet mission objectives,
including environmental DNA, source tracking, coral conservation, and fisheries. The work will involve close collaboration with scientists at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), where the applicant will be physically stationed.

Downeast Institute; Marine Carbonate Chemistry  (Maine) –Research Scientist 

The Downeast Institute (DEI) is seeking candidates for a research scientist position in marine carbonate chemistry that is funded for the first 18 months. Preferred candidates will have a Ph.D. in marine biology, marine chemistry, or a related field, with expertise in ocean and sediment carbonate chemistry, and oversee internal and external research and operation of an ocean acidification (OA) laboratory. In addition, the scientist is expected to conduct experiments in the laboratory and field to determine the effects of OA on the biology and ecology of local, commercially important shellfish. This research will be facilitated by state-of-the-art shellfish hatchery facilities at DEI, where we have been rearing bivalves and crustation for the past 35 years. The successful candidate will work closely with the institute’s Director of Research and its staff to maintain and operate the OA laboratory and promote interactive research with internal and external investigators to utilize DEI facilities for OA research. The OA laboratory is designed to study the impacts of global environmental changes on marine organisms, focusing on full factorial ocean acidification and warming experiments using replicate tanks that are physically and statistically independent (see: Ocean Acidification Laboratory). Materials must be submitted electronically to bbeal@downeastinstitute.org with “Apply for Research Scientist Position” in the subject line. Required material includes a cover letter, references, resume/CV, and transcripts.

Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship

The 2024 Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship program is a partnership between Nova Southeastern University’s National Coral Reef Institute, NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Insular Affairs, and the U.S. Coral Reef All Islands Committee. The program recruits Coral Reef Management Fellows for the seven U.S. coral reef jurisdictions (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) to address current capacity gaps and to build longer-term capacity in these locations. This is done by placing highly qualified individuals whose education and work experience meet each jurisdiction’s specific coral reef management needs. The program’s goal is to develop a thriving collaborative fellowship program that builds excellent next-generation leaders and capacity for effective local coral reef ecosystem management.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Coastal Management Fellowship

The NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship was established in 1996 to provide on-the-job education and training opportunities in coastal resource management and policy for postgraduate students and to provide project assistance to state coastal zone management programs. Up to nine fellows are placed with state coastal programs every year. The program matches postgraduate students to work on projects proposed by state coastal zone management programs and selected by NOAA. This two-year opportunity offers a competitive salary, medical benefits, and travel and relocation expense reimbursement. Placement for the Coastal Management Fellowship positions is fully integrated into the placement process with the Digital Coast Fellowship positions. Candidates apply to the Coastal Management and Digital Coast Fellowship program as a whole, and selected candidates will be eligible to interview with both the state coastal programs and the Digital Coast partnership organizations at the fellowship matching workshop.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

The Gulf Research Program’s Early-Career Research Fellowship supports emerging scientific leaders as they take risks on research ideas not yet tested, pursue unique collaborations, and build a network of colleagues who share their interest in improving offshore energy system safety and the well-being of coastal communities and ecosystems. Because the early years of a researcher’s career are a critical time, the relatively unrestricted funds and mentoring this fellowship provides help recipients navigate this period with independence, flexibility, and a built-in support network. They will be opening the 2021 Early-Career Research Fellowship Application Cycle with significant changes to the fellowship program structure by introducing a three-topic track system with application periods spread out over the year. The three tracks, aligned with the Gulf Research Program’s program areas, are:

      • Human Health and Community Resilience
      • Environmental Protection and Stewardship
      • Offshore Energy Safety
      • Details

Department of Defense – Visualization of Coastal Data

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Coastal & Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) performs research on ocean, estuarine, riverine, and watershed systems in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Department of Defense (DOD) Task Force in support of the Ocean Commission. A multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and support personnel work in CHL’s internationally known, unique facilities. This team has developed state-of-the-art experimental and computational models for solving water resource problems worldwide. Physical facilities of approximately 1.7 million square feet and high-performance computing facilities at the DOD Supercomputing Research Center (http://www.erdc.hpc.mil) are the basic infrastructure for producing cutting-edge products for successful coastal, inland water resources, and navigation management. CHL work, although primarily in support of the DOD and the Corp’s districts, also interfaces with other federal, state and local agencies, academia, conservation groups, and the general public, as appropriate. The Research Participation Program for USACE-ERDC-CHL provides opportunities to participate in new and on-going applied research and development projects. Research projects range from design guidance to three-dimensional computational models. Focus is placed on inland and coastal navigation, military logistics over the shore, dredging, flood control, storm and erosion protection, waterway restoration, fish passage, hydro-environmental modeling, water/land management, and other water and sediment-related issues facing the nation.

Department of Defense – Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Fellow

The Environmental Laboratory (EL) is one of the seven laboratories of U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (USACE-ERDC), which is the Army Corps of Engineers’ integrated research and development (R&D) organization. EL provides solutions to environmental challenges for the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense and the Nation through environmental science and engineering research and development. Researchers in EL conduct research in ecosystem science and technology, environmental resiliency, environmental sensing, ecological modeling and forecasting, risk and decision science, environmentally sustainable material, systems biology, climate change, computational chemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental security. Under the guidance of a mentor, you will participate in a coastal research project focused on developing stochastic assessments of coastal water levels and erosion risk under past, present and future climates.