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.

The Carbon Flux Ecology group at MBARI is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join our team. Our work is guided by a pressing need to better observe carbon export via sinking particles in the ocean and to resolve ecological mechanisms that control this process.  The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary project funded by the Schmidt Sciences Ocean Biogeochemistry Virtual Institute (OBVI).  This project will study the role of mesopelagic animals, and their gut microbiomes, in transforming organic matter as it transits through the mesopelagic.  Our team will be responsible for collecting sinking particles and analyzing their molecular genetic contents. We will collaboratively synthesize these observations with data from animal gut contents concurrently collected by other research groups. We will also observe particles in situ using innovative imaging instruments. The ideal candidate will be able to pursue and explore their own research goals within this framework. While the primary focus of this postdoctoral fellowship will be on the OBVI research program, the fellow will also have the opportunity to participate in other research activities performed by the Carbon Flux Ecology group that primarily occur in Monterey Bay, depending on the specific interests of the candidate.

This project involves two research cruises aboard the R/V Falkor too in the South Atlantic Ocean. The ideal candidate would participate in fieldwork, assist with sediment trap deployments, and lead the molecular analyses of sinking particle samples. This position requires an attention to detail and experience in performing sensitive laboratory techniques. Experience with specific molecular techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, metabarcoding) is a plus, but we also value team members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives working in this highly interdisciplinary field who are motivated to add these attributes to their skillset.  For that reason, we will also consider candidates without prior experience but who demonstrate capacity for training in our specific protocols.

Duration: 3 years

Start date: Flexible, though ideally summer or fall 2025, with major fieldwork starting early 2026.

Required qualifications:

• PhD must be awarded by start date
• Strong problem-solving skills and scientific integrity
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of collaborative teams
• Demonstrated experience with sensitive laboratory techniques
• Curiosity about ocean biogeochemistry and ecology

Desirable skills and experience:

• Experience with molecular genetic techniques and analyses
• Previous experience performing data analysis using python or R coding languages
• Previous experience in measuring carbon exported by sinking particles
• Previous experience at sea and/or the desire to work at sea for 1 month at a time

Application requirements:

• A cover letter explaining how this opportunity matches your career goals
• Curriculum vitae
• A list of 3 professional references, including name, email address, and phone number

This postdoc fellow will be mentored by Dr. Colleen Durkin and prospective applicants are encouraged to contact her with questions or for additional information about the position (cdurkin@mbari.org).