NCEAS Gulf Ecosystem Initiative Postdoc

Position Overview

Position title: NCEAS Gulf Ecosystem Initiative Postdoc

Salary range: $69,073 - $82,836

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: August 1, 2026 or later

Position duration: Two‑year long position

Open date: October 16, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Feb 20, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Friday, Jul 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

The Gulf Ecosystem Initiative (GEI), a partnership between the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and the NOAA RESTORE Science Program seeks to fill a postdoctoral position focused on addressing critical, interdisciplinary environmental questions in the Gulf of America. As a GEI postdoc you will join a dynamic and growing cohort of postdoctoral fellows for a two‑year research position based at NCEAS in Santa Barbara, California.

The Gulf Ecosystem Initiative is a partnership designed to engage the Gulf research community in tackling pressing scientific and societal challenges focused around three emerging research themes: fisheries; climate change; and the ecological impact of management actions.

Located at NCEAS, this postdoc position offers opportunities to conduct your own independent research and participate in the research of one or more funded synthesis science working groups being solicited. The role requires you to split your time between supporting working groups and developing your independent synthesis project focusing on a specific Gulf challenge. This position will give a chance to maximize the impact of your research and to work at the interface of ecological synthesis science and applied management solutions.

As a NCEAS postdoc you will be welcomed into a vibrant, inclusive community and supported by postdocs and resident researchers. You will have access to learning hub trainings and other professional development resources.

Your independent research project should focus on leveraging and reusing existing data to develop synthesis products around one or more of GEI’s three key research themes. Within the fisheries theme, research should use long‑term fisheries and environmental datasets to illuminate linkages among fisheries, ecological, and social drivers. Climate‑change‑focused activities should analyze large climate datasets and down‑scaled climate models to assess Gulf impacts and produce ecosystem perspectives that inform future policy.

Research on management actions should address a prior, recurring, or ongoing action and elucidate system‑wide impacts. Coproduction of synthesis products with working groups, practitioners, and stakeholders across the Gulf is strongly encouraged.

• Participate in one or more Gulf Ecosystem Initiative synthesis working groups (approximately 50% of time).
• Conduct independent research on the Gulf, publish in peer‑reviewed journals, and attend scientific conferences (approximately 50% of time).

NCEAS is located in scenic downtown Santa Barbara, California. Postdocs will spend the vast majority of their time at the Center, with opportunities to travel to national and international events and conferences, particularly those with Gulf relevance. Relationship building with Gulf‑based researchers is facilitated through regionally based mentors from NOAA, BOEM, USFWS, or other agencies.

Basic qualifications

• Completion of all Ph.D. requirements except the dissertation, in environmental science, ecology, fisheries, climate science, environmental policy or a relevant discipline.

Additional qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant discipline at time of hire.

Preferred qualifications

• Strong analytical and modeling skills, including data science, databases, and data visualization.
• Strong publication record.
• Experience with one or more of the three main research themes: fisheries; climate change; ecological impact of management actions.
• Regional knowledge of the Gulf ecosystem and peoples.
• Knowledge in policy, economics, or other social science relevant to marine and coastal systems.
• Ability to review and synthesize large amounts of literature and complex information.
• Initiative and ability to work independently…