JETZON jobs and PhDs

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Postdoctoral Research Scientist Position: Ocean Biogeochemical Modeling

Duration:  3 years

Closing date: 17 January 2025

Details: 

Candidates are sought for a postdoctoral or similar position under supervision of Dr. Lionel Arteaga, oceanographer and Earth scientist primarily working on ocean carbon fluxes and the connection between marine ecosystems and climate. Research will be conducted in support of NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) in conjunction with the Goddard Earth Sciences Technology and Research II (GESTAR II) consortium. 

Research in the GMAO emphasizes the use of satellite observations to address questions about climate variability, water and energy budgets, composition, and weather and climate prediction. Global ocean, atmosphere and land surface models are developed as components of assimilation and forecast systems, as well as for addressing the weather and climate research questions identified in NASA’s science mission. 

Highly-motivated recent graduates with a background in oceanography, data science, or closely related science/engineering disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

Project research focuses on the impact of marine heatwaves (MHWs) on the biological carbon pump. This NASA-funded project will use the NASA Ocean Biogeochemical Model (NOBM) to investigate and forecast changes in carbon export in response to MHWs, with the goal of identifying key planktonic and biogeochemical drivers and consequences. 

This is a 3-year position, located onsite at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD. 

Required Qualifications:

  • M.S. in oceanography, data science, or closely related science/engineering discipline
  • Programming skills and experience
  • Excellent communication skills

Preferred Skills:

  • PhD in related field
  • Experience with MATLAB/Python/Fortran and other language and software tools

This position is administratively supported by the GESTAR II Consortium, which supports over 140 researchers based primarily at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. GESTAR II researchers work to create extensive opportunities for breakthroughs in earth and atmospheric science research, carrying out observational, experimental and theoretical research in support of NASA strategic Earth Science mission objectives.

Goddard’s Earth Science Division is home to about 200 civil servants and over 1200 collaborating researchers and support personnel, dedicated to studying the Earth as an integrated system that includes the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, cryosphere, and geosphere. The Division operates as a component of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate that collaborate on interdisciplinary research with the Astrophysics Science, Heliophysics Science, and Solar System Exploration Divisions.

The nominal starting date is early 2025, but alternate dates are possible depending on availability. 

Candidates should provide a cover letter, CV (including publication list), and a 3-page statement of research interests. Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply three letters of reference at a later date. All materials and inquiries should be sent by email Subject line: Postdoctoral Researcher Position to: Lionel Arteaga (lionel.arteagaquintero@nasa.gov)

Completed applications received by January 17, 2025 will receive full consideration, however the posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Salary and benefits are competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The GESTAR II consortium and NASA/GSFC are committed to building a diverse research community and encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. All GESTAR II institutions are Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employers.

 

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Carbon Flux Postdoc at MBARI

Duration: 3 years

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


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.

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). 

Ready to apply?

Job Code: Carbon Flux Postdoc

Please submit a cover letter, including reference to relevant training and/or experience, and a curriculum vitae by e-mail to jobs@mbari.org, or by mail to the below address.

MBARI 
Jessica Chapman
Job Code: Carbon Flux Postdoc
7700 Sandholdt Road
Moss Landing, CA 95039

Salary range:
First year – $70,000 annually
Second year – $73,500 annually
Third year – $76,000 annually

Postdoctoral fellows are eligible for paid time off for sick, vacation, and holiday leave. In addition, this fellowship is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and disability benefits.

MBARI is a non-profit, private oceanographic research institute, and 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, and local laws.

MBARI Welcomes Diversity