Postdoctoral Associate - Coral Reef Futures Lab. Miami LilyLifestyle

Position Overview

The successful candidate will help lead research on coral spawning, fertilization, larval development, settlement, and/or post‑settlement survival, while directly contributing to broader restoration initiatives. This role emphasizes scientific leadership, experimental design, and mentorship, with opportunities to integrate new science into applied restoration efforts, with the potential for significant career advancement.

Current active areas of research and implementation in the lab include:

• Assisted gene flow of Caribbean corals via international breeding efforts around the region, with the goal of increasing diversity, adaptive capacity, and resilience;
• Improving restoration pipelines designed to increase the scale of restoration using sexually derived recruits, including new technologies such as hydrogels, bioprinting, substrate enhancements, and anti‑fouling coatings;
• Holobiome interventions to increase the resilience of coral restoration efforts, including algal symbiont provisioning and probiotics;
• The design and deployment of hybrid barrier reefs to help protect coastlines and the deployment of early‑stage coral recruits to these structures.

• Develop and lead research projects focused on coral reproduction, larval biology, and early life history;
• Design and execute experiments on spawning, fertilization success, larval performance, and settlement;
• Advance methods for larval propagation and recruitment to support restoration efforts;
• Mentor undergraduate and MPS students conducting independent research projects;
• Contribute to and/or lead manuscript preparation, grant writing, and collaborative proposals;
• Help coordinate spawning activities and nursery‑based research across multiple institutional partners.

Required:

• Ph.D. in marine biology, coral biology, ecology, or a related field, with experience in coral spawning, gamete handling, fertilization, and/or larval rearing. Exceptionally experienced candidates may also be eligible for hire at the Assistant Scientist level.
• At least 3‑4 years of experience in coral biology or closely related research preferred;
• Experience designing and implementing experimental studies;
• Demonstrated record of scientific productivity (publications, technical reports, or equivalent).

Preferred:

• AAUS scientific diving certification;
• Experience working in or collaborating with land‑based coral nurseries;
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.

• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team;
• Comfortable working in outdoor facilities that can be seasonally hot and humid;
• Willing to work during non‑traditional hours (e.g., nighttime spawning events);
• Commitment to training and supporting emerging scientists;
• Interest in translating reproductive biology into applied restoration outcomes.

The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law.