Postdoctoral Research Associate - Phytoplankton Ecology

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Phytoplankton Ecology

Agency
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Department
Harte Research Institute

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
Corpus Christi, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description

TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both aHispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution(MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member institutions and associated agencies.

TAMU-CC's beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern,attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support facilities.

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 ofa 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 willgain 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-PIsand assigned staff
• Implement project activities

• Participate in field and laboratory-based project activities toacquire data
• Process and analyze samples collected
• Develop new techniques as appropriate for project

• Analyze water quality data
• Submit data to a data manager in a timely manner
• Publish results in peer reviewed journals and present atlocal/national/international meetings.

• Develop new avenues of research
• Submit grant applications to support new avenues of research

• 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

• Experience with R software packages

• 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.

• 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

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

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

• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
• Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan

• 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.