NCEAS Gulf Ecosystem Initiative Postdoc

Position overview

Position title :

NCEAS Gulf Ecosystem Initiative Postdoc

Salary range :

A reasonable estimate that the University expects to pay for this position at 100% time is $69,073 - $82,836.

Percent time : 100%

Anticipated start :

August 1, 2026 or later

Position duration :

Two-year long position

Application Window

Open date : October 16, 2025

Next review date : Friday, Feb 20, 2026 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date : Friday, Jul 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

DESCRIPTION

The Gulf Ecosystem Initiative (GEI), a partnership between the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and The NOAA RESTORE Science Program seeks to fill a postdoctoral position focused on addressing critical, interdisciplinary, environmental questions in the Gulf of America (formerly the Gulf of Mexico, hereafter the Gulf). As a GEI postdoc you will be joining a dynamic and growing cohort of postdoctoral fellows for a two-year research position based at NCEAS in Santa Barbara, California.

BACKGROUND

The Gulf Ecosystem Initiative is a partnership designed to engage the Gulf research community in tackling pressing scientific and societal challenges focused around three emerging research themes : fisheries; climate change; and the ecological impact of management actions.

Located at NCEAS, this postdoc position will offer you opportunities to not only conduct your own independent research, but also participate in the research of one or more funded synthesis science working groups currently being solicited (to be awarded by May 2026). You will split your time between supporting and collaborating with one or more working groups and developing your own independent synthesis project focused on a specific challenge facing the Gulf. Information about the working groups and postdocs funded in our 2023 cohort, 2024 cohort, and 2025 cohort can be found on our website. This position will give you significant opportunities to maximize the impact of your research and to work at the interface of ecological synthesis science and applied management solutions. As a postdoc at NCEAS you will be welcomed into the vibrant and inclusive community at NCEAS and will be well supported by a community of postdocs and resident researchers. You will have access to our Learning Hub trainings and other resources for professional development.

Your proposed independent research project should focus on leveraging and reusing existing data to develop synthesis products around one or more of the initiative's three key research themes : fisheries; climate change, and the ecological impact of management actions. Within the fisheries theme, research should be aimed at utilizing the wealth of long-term fisheries and environmental datasets available across the Gulf to elucidate linkages between various fisheries and related ecological and social drivers. Climate change focused activities are expected to leverage large climate data sets as well as downscaled climate models to analyze climate change impacts in the Gulf and produce an ecosystem perspective that can inform future management and policy responses. And the ecological impact of management action-focused research should address a previous, recurring, or ongoing management action occurring in the Gulf and produce greater understanding around the system-wide impacts of those actions. Coproduction of synthesis products with working groups, practitioners, and stakeholders across the Gulf is highly encouraged.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Research related to the GEI synthesis working groups (50% time)

• This postdoctoral researcher will participate in the work of one or more Gulf Ecosystem Initiative synthesis working groups, as appropriate based on experience and interest.

Independent research focused on the Gulf (50% of time)

RESIDENCY AT NCEAS :

NCEAS is located in scenic downtown Santa Barbara, California. The Center is known for fostering interaction and collaboration, a characteristic that leads to the success of its scientists. NCEAS has a growing and thriving community of postdocs, resident scientists, and analysts, and a frequent influx of leading scientists and practitioners from around the world participating in working group projects across a diverse range of initiatives. NCEAS is also a leader in data science training, offering courses and expertise in reproducible workflows, data infrastructure, and team science. We expect that postdocs will contribute their knowledge, interests, and enthusiasm to the intellectual atmosphere. The postdoc should anticipate spending the vast majority of their time in residence at the Center and will have the opportunity to travel to relevant national and international events and conferences, with a special focus on meeting and networking opportunities in the Gulf region. Relationship building with Gulf-based researchers will also be accelerated by opportunities for postdocs to establish a regionally-based research mentor from NOAA, BOEM, USFWS or other relevant agencies.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Preferred qualifications

Regional knowledge of the Gulf ecosystem and people

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter - Cover Letter including :

Interest in the position

Qualifications related to position

Statement of Research - A short (3 page) proposal of research you would like to conduct as part of your independent project. We expect projects to primarily be synthesis and analysis research and focused on the Gulf region; the proposal should include a short section setting the context and motivating the work, a main section explaining the research questions and expected methods and data that will be used, and a short final section that addresses expected applied implications of the work.

Reference requirements

Name and contact information for three references. The top candidate's references will be contacted before the final job offer.

Apply link :

Help contact : ikclark@ucsb.edu

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.

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.

UC Santa Barbara is unable to sponsor employment visas of any kind for this position.

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