Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Environmental Economic Modeling, UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA

Position overview Position title: Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Environmental Economic Modeling

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position at 100% time is $69,703 to $82,836.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Position start date is negotiable and anticipated to ideally start in January 2026.

Position duration: The initial appointment is for 2 years from the start date.

Open date: October 3, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Oct 24, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Thursday, Apr 30, 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.

The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) is an applied research center at the University of California Santa Barbara's Marine Science Institute. The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory team works to leverage the power of science and technology to develop and implement tangible solutions to a wide range of environmental problems.

The Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory seeks a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to develop tools for applying economic analyses and nature valuation in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), including economic modeling of large-scale Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation in ABNJ. The modeling exercises will include such activities as simulating the impacts of MPA designation on economic outputs such as fisheries and marine ecosystem services, assessed on the scale of individual MPAs as well as globally, across multiple MPAs.

We anticipate that this work will also translate into analytic tools to support the planning of new MPAs under the BBNJ Agreement and collaboration with potential users of such tools.

The successful candidate will bring a desire and excitement to address ambitious economic modeling and valuation questions with real-world applicability. The postdoctoral scholar will collaborate closely with Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory research staff and external partners, taking the lead to define novel questions and methods for leveraging available economic, biological, and environmental data, and communicating the research through publications.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will have the following responsibilities:

* Leading the development of predictive bioeconomic models to estimate economic outcomes, including fisheries spillover effects and biodiversity benefits, across global and regional networks of MPAs;

* Collaboratively translating model outputs and valuation approaches into analytic tools to support the planning of individual MPAs in ABNJ;

* Collaboratively identifying areas for economic valuation that align with global biodiversity agreements;

* Partnering with senior staff at Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory to collaborate and communicate findings with government stakeholders, academic audiences, and environmental non-governmental organization professionals and decision-makers.

This appointment includes a competitive benefits package with medical, dental and vision insurance and a UC retirement plan. Salary is commensurate with the applicant's qualifications and experience.

Department: /

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must have completed all requirements for a PhD program (or equivalent), except the dissertation, in environmental economics, fisheries economics, resource management and economics, or a related field at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

Applicants must have a doctoral degree in environmental economics, fisheries economics, resource management and economics, or a related field at time of appointment.

Preferred qualifications

* Fluency in economic and bioeconomic modeling and nature valuation, with experience in fisheries economics or management preferred;

* Demonstrated understanding of how insights from economic modeling can be usefully linked to applied conservation and real-world marine management contexts;

* Excellent quantitative and data analysis skills including programming in R, Python, or similar, and proficiency in using Git Hub and other data management tools;

* Experience summarizing and visualizing data in accessible and compelling formats for non-technical audiences;

* Proven record of independently leading research projects and accomplishing research goals, including flexible project management in applied research settings;

* Demonstrated experience publishing peer-reviewed research;

* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in the context of managing collaborators and liaising with members of government, industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover…