Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Fisheries or Environmental Economic Modeling, UCSB, Santa Ba

Position Overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Fisheries or 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 June 2026.

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

Open date: March 24, 2026

Most recent review date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 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: Saturday, Oct 31, 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 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 fisheries and economic modeling in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), particularly with relevance to large‑scale Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation in ABNJ. The modeling exercises will include such activities as quantifying the potential for spillover of tuna following high seas MPA designation and evaluating the economic benefits of this potential spillover, as well as other possible economic impacts of the creation of such MPAs.

We anticipate that this work will also translate into analytical tools to support the planning of new MPAs under the High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement) and collaboration with potential users of such tools.

The successful candidate will bring a desire and excitement to address ambitious High Seas conservation, fisheries, and economics 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 fisheries, economic, biological, and environmental data, and communicating the research through publications.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will have the following responsibilities:

• Leading the development of predictive fisheries and bioeconomic models to estimate outcomes, including but not limited to fisheries spillover effects and biodiversity benefits, across global and regional networks of MPAs.
• In collaboration with external partners and staff at Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, developing analytic tools based on model outputs and valuation approaches to support the planning of individual MPAs in ABNJ.
• 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: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

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

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

• Fluency in fisheries and/or bioeconomic modeling, with experience in spatial fisheries ecology or management strongly preferred;
• Advanced understanding of the biology and population dynamics of commercially valuable (e.g., tuna and other highly migratory) pelagic…