Job Description

Position overview Position title: Postdoctoral Researcher - Trait-Based Ecology of Macroalgae

Salary range: A reasonable range for this position at 100% time is $69,073 - $82,836

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Position start date is negotiable and anticipated to ideally start in December 2025.

Position duration: The initial appointment is for 2 years from the start date.

Application Window

Open date: October 1, 2025

Next review date: Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Marine Science Institute (MSI) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research position focused on the trait based ecology of marine macroalgae. Community ecology is often mired in case histories explaining distribution and abundance of select species. Marine ecosystems are diverse and critical for society and we need a more holistic understanding of the forces driving them if we are to predict change due to climate and human impacts. In temperate marine ecosystems, macroalgae are a vital base of food webs and provide habitat for rich communities but we lack a framework for understanding their ecology beyond decades-old gross morphological generalizations. Trait-based modeling is a promising approach to deal with this complexity and define relationships between quantifiable traits and the distribution and abundance of species. We are combining field and laboratory measurements with modeling to test the broad hypothesis that the depth distribution of common macroalgal species in southern California is predictable based on measured functional traits. The successful candidate will contribute to this work and will have considerable freedom to pursue creative interests related to the project.

Responsibilities:
* Conduct research contributing to a trait-based framework for understanding the distribution and abundance of marine macroalgae.
* Combine basic field and laboratory research to measure macroagal traits with rigorous trait-based modeling and quantitative field surveys to validate models.
* Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national or international conferences.

Salary and Benefits: This appointment includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental and vision insurance and a UC retirement plan. Salary is commensurate with the applicant's qualifications and experience.

Department :

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must have completed all requirements for a Ph.D. (or equivalent) except the dissertation in ecology, oceanography, geography, environmental science, conservation science and planning or a related field at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

PhD in ecology, oceanography, geography, environmental science, conservation science and planning, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.

Preferred qualifications

* Coding fluency in R, Stata and/or Python for statistical analyses;
* Excellent statistical and/or causal inference skills;
* Strong background in ecological theory and modeling.
* Experience leading peer-reviewed publications and/or reports;
* Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with an ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

The search committee will contact references of the top candidate(s) after the interviews. After references are checked, a top candidate will be chosen.

Help contact:

About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Job location

Santa Barbara, CA UCSB

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