Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute - MBARI Postdoctoral Fellowship

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.

Located in Moss Landing, California at the head of Monterey Canyon, MBARI enjoys convenient access to a diverse range of ocean environments. Post-doctoral fellows have the opportunity to propose investigations that take advantage of this location and our outstanding suite of resources. The Institute has well-equipped fabrication and test facilities. We operate two ocean-going research ships, a coastal workboat, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, oceanographic profilers and moorings, the MARS seafloor cabled observatory, and a wide range of oceanographic equipment. MBARI is a non-profit oceanographic research institute supported by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

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 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, preferably within the 2025 year, and complete the fellowship onsite.

Application deadline: December 2, 2025

Application requirements:

1. Curriculum vitae (CV)
2. At least three professional letters of recommendation (up to five)
3. Succinct statement of your doctoral research
4. A list up to three potential sponsors/PI/PEs along with a brief description of why the mentor(s) align with your research and other professional goals
5. A short proposal describing a potential research project you would like to undertake at MBARI
6. Supplemental information form found here

Submit by e-mail to jobs_postdocs@mbari.org (preferred) or by mail to: MBARI, Jessica Chapman, Job code: Postdocs- 2025, 7700 Sandholdt Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039.

Salary range: First year – $77,000 annually. Second year – $82,000 annually. Postdocs are also offered up to $4,000 for relocation reimbursement to be paid within the first year of employment.

MBARI offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B retirement plan, and paid time off, such as vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

MBARI is an equal opportunity employer. MBARI considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, disability, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.