"Postdoctoral Fellowship"

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute - MBARI

Postdoctoral Fellowship

How to Apply for a Postdoctoral Fellowship at MBARI

Applications for the on-site postdoctoral fellowship program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) are currently being accepted! Start date varies and can be discussed after acceptance of the offer.

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

Application deadline: December 2, 2025

We anticipate decisions by end of January.

Application requirements:

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• At least three professional letters of recommendation (up to five)
• Succinct statement of your doctoral research
• 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
• A short proposal describing a potential research project you would like to undertake at MBARI
• Supplemental information form found here

Submit by e-mail to jobs_postdocs@mbari.org (preferred) or by mail to the below address:

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.

MBARI Welcomes Diversity