Postdoctoral Research Associate - Phytoplankton Ecology

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Job Description

PURPOSE

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Coastal Water Health lab at the Harte Research Institute. The postdoctoral researcher will conduct research under the auspices of a new NOAA ECOHAB grant that focuses on understanding dynamics of Aureoumbra lagunensis (“brown tide”) blooms in the Baffin Bay-Upper Laguna Madre ecosystem of Texas. The postdoctoral researcher will gain experience in project management, project development, mentoring (of undergraduate/graduate students) and stakeholder engagement. Opportunities also exist for comparative analysis of phytoplankton dynamics between estuarine systems that vary in e.g., freshwater inflow, nutrient loadings, etc.

DESCRIPTION

Functional Area 1: Project Coordination

Percent Effort: 10%

• Coordinate project activities in collaboration with PI, Co-PIs and assigned staff

• Implement project activities

Functional Area 2: Data Acquisition

Percent Effort: 40%

• Participate in field and laboratory-based project activities to acquire data

• Process and analyze samples collected

• Develop new techniques as appropriate for project

Functional Area 3: Research and Data Analysis

Percent Effort: 40%

• Analyze water quality data

• Submit data to a data manager in a timely manner

• Publish results in peer reviewed journals and present at local/national/international meetings.

Functional Area 4: Research Development

Percent Effort: 10%

• Develop new avenues of research

• Submit grant applications to support new avenues of research

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Marine Science or related field

• Experience with phytoplankton identification, preferably including marine taxa.

• Fundamental knowledge of phytoplankton ecology

• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience communicating scientific findings to a broad audience.

• Desire to work with a broad spectrum of collaborators, managers, and stakeholders.

• Experience with project management and ability to meet project goals in a timely manner.

• Ability to participate in field work under occasional harsh conditions such as heat and wind

• Experience with appropriate statistical techniques for analyzing time-series data and community structure data

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with R software packages

SALARY: $4,166.67 - $4,791.67 Monthly ($50,000 - $57,500 Annually Approximately)

NOTE:

• This a grant-funded position. Continued employment contingent upon available funding.

• Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.

BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply)

From our generous benefits package and professional development opportunities, to our retirement programs and our commitment to service excellence, the Island University is an engaging and rewarding place to work.

INSURANCE:

• Medical

  • $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value).

  • Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:

    • Employee and Spouse

    • Employee and Children

    • Employee and Family coverage

• Dental & Vision

• Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account

DUAL CAREER PARTNER PROGRAM

ON-CAMPUS WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES

Work Life Solutions:

• Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources

Tuition Benefits:

• Public Loan Forgiveness

• Book scholarships

• 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply).

Retirement:

• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)

• Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan

Time Off:

• 8 hours of vacation paid time off every month.

• 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.

• 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.

• 12-15 paid holidays each year.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.