Postdoctoral Scholar in Marine Paleoecology and Sedimentary DNA; sedaDNA)

Position overview

Salary range: $$71,491-$85,736.

Open date:
August 24, 2026

Next review date:
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

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

Final date:
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

The Hill Ocean Climate Lab invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar to lead an innovative project investigating long-term marine ecosystem responses to historical climate change along the California coast. Modern marine communities face unprecedented stress from concurrent deoxygenation, ocean warming, harmful algal blooms, and acidification. The successful candidate will pioneer the application of sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) in California marine sediments.

The postdoctoral scholar will reconstruct ancient ecological communities using available sediment cores, paired with existing paleo proxy data. The postdoctoral scholar will interact with and benefit from a vibrant community of researchers focused on paleo ecology, oceanography, climate change, and marine conservation within the Hill Lab, the Earth & Planetary Sciences Department, Bodega Marine Laboratory, and UC Davis more broadly.

• Lead the isolation, amplification, and high-throughput sequencing of sedaDNA from marine sediment cores. Optimize and implement specialized ancient DNA protocols in clean-lab environments to avoid modern contamination.
• Perform advanced bioinformatic processing and statistical analysis of metagenomic or metabarcoding datasets.
• Integrate genomic datasets with published paleo proxy records (e.g., stable isotopes, microfossil data, sedimentary characteristics).
• Work closely with mentors, peers, and collaborators to integrate this work with ongoing research in the laboratory on paleo ecology, oceanography, marine conservation, and biodiversity.

• Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact, peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences (e.g., AGU, Ocean Sciences Meeting).

• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to undergraduate and graduate students working in the laboratory.
• Participate in departmental seminars, lab meetings, and public outreach activities highlighting marine conservation and climate change.

• Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences, Marine Science, Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related field by the start date of the appointment.
• Demonstrated experience with molecular biology techniques, specifically DNA extraction from challenging environmental samples (e.g., sediment, soil, or ancient tissues) and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) library preparation.
• Strong bioinformatic pipeline skills (e.g., R, Python, Bash) for analyzing community ecology or environmental DNA data.
• Experience with collaboration and interdisciplinary research
• Familiarity with marine paleo ecology, paleoceanography, or interpreting traditional paleo proxies.

• Experience working in a dedicated clean-room environment or handling low-copy/degraded DNA.
• A proven track record of peer-reviewed publications and strong scientific communication skills.

• Curriculum Vitae
  - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Authorization to Release Information Form
  - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

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.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035:
  Affimitive Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further…