[ES_JOBS_NET] Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute (CMSI) Postdoctoral Fellowship, UC Davis

Sat May 9 10:34:37 MDT 2026

https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07627

Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute (CMSI) Postdoctoral Fellowship

Position overview
*Salary range:* $69,073-$82,836
*Review timeline:* Full consideration will be given to applications
completed by June 15, 2026. Applications received after this date will be
considered only if the position has not been filled.
Application Window

*Open date: *May 6, 2026

*Next review date:* Monday, Jun 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

*Final date: *Wednesday, Jul 1, 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.
Position description

The Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute (CMSI) at the University of
California, Davis invites applications for a competitive *CMSI Postdoctoral
Fellowship Program* designed to support exceptional early-career scientists
pursuing innovative and highly collaborative research in coastal and marine
sciences. *Areas of particular interest, but are not limited to:* climate
change and environmental stressors, sustainable aquaculture and coastal
food systems, physiological ecology and evolutionary responses to
environmental change, host-microbe interactions and marine microbiomes,
coastal data science and oceanography, coastal social-ecological systems
and policy, coastal restoration and nature-based solutions.

This fellowship aims to attract *bright, creative, and collaborative
researchers* who are interested in developing new lines of inquiry while
engaging with the diverse coastal and marine sciences community at UC Davis.
About CMSI and Bodega Marine Laboratory

The Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute (CMSI)
<https://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/> connects faculty, researchers, and
students across the University of California, Davis who are working to
understand and address challenges facing coastal and marine systems. CMSI
fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across multiple colleges and
departments and supports research that advances scientific understanding
while informing management and policy.

A central hub for CMSI activities is the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML)
<https://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/bml/about>, a world-class coastal
research and teaching facility located on the northern California coast
adjacent to Bodega Bay. Established in 1966, BML is internationally
recognized for research in marine biology, ecology, oceanography, climate
change, and coastal processes.

BML provides direct access to diverse marine and coastal ecosystems
including rocky intertidal habitats, sandy beaches, estuaries, and coastal
ocean waters. The laboratory supports year-round research through
facilities that include seawater laboratories, experimental aquaria,
classrooms, research vessels, sustained field observations, and field
access to protected natural areas. BML also hosts undergraduate courses,
graduate training programs, visiting scientists, and collaborative research
initiatives, creating a vibrant intellectual community focused on coastal
and ocean sciences.

CMSI Postdoctoral Fellows will be embedded within this dynamic research
environment and will benefit from the collaborative culture and scientific
infrastructure available at BML and across UC Davis.
Fellowship Overview

CMSI Postdoctoral Fellows will propose a *collaborative research project* that
leverages expertise, data, and resources from at least two faculty mentors
at UC Davis <https://marinescience.ucdavis.edu/faculty>. To foster
interdisciplinary exchange, we encourage the selection of mentors that
reflect cross-disciplinary connections between existing UCD research
programs.

Fellows are encouraged to pursue *novel or emerging research directions* that
extend beyond the core research focus of any single host group. The program
is designed to provide fellows with the intellectual independence and
collaborative network needed to launch innovative research trajectories.

Fellows will also become active members of the CMSI/BML scholarly
community, contributing to seminars, workshops, mentoring, and professional
development activities.
Research Expectations

CMSI Postdoctoral Fellows will:
-Develop and conduct an *interdisciplinary research project* in the coastal
or marine sciences.
-Collaborate with *two or more UC Davis research groups*.
-Spend time at both BML and the UC Davis main campus. This may include
split time if mentors are at both locations, or it may entail primary
residence in one location with a sustained visit to the other for
engagement.
-Contribute to the intellectual life of CMSI and BML, for example by
organizing seminars, workshops, discussion groups, etc.
-Contribute to educational and mentoring activities at CMSI and BML
-Engage with the broader coastal and marine sciences community by
strengthening connections within CMSI/BML and with external partners.
CMSI Community

CMSI Fellows are expected to contribute to the *intellectual and
collaborative environment of the institute*, including participation in
seminars, workshops, and cross-campus initiatives. Fellows will join a
growing network of coastal and marine scientists at UC Davis and will play
a key role in strengthening connections across departments, colleges, and
between BML and the Davis campus, with external communities, partners and
industry engagement in coastal marine sciences.
Professional Development

CMSI Postdoctoral Fellows will have opportunities to pursue *professional
development activities*, including:
-Developing teaching modules or educational materials
-Proposing new teaching experiences or guest lectures
-Participating in mentoring programs for undergraduate and graduate students
-Engaging in outreach or community-building activities within BML

These experiences are intended to support fellows in developing skills
in *teaching,
mentorship, and academic leadership*.
Funding and Resources

Each CMSI Postdoctoral Fellow will receive:
-*Two years of salary and benefits*
-*Research funds* of approximately *$5,000–$10,000* to support research
activities, conference travel, or exploratory work
-Eligibility to apply for $5,000 *additional funds to support engagement,
travel, and teaching activities*.

Fellows will also benefit from access to the *research infrastructure and
facilities at BML*.
Qualifications
*Basic qualifications* (required at time of application)

Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in any marine related field. Ph.D.
must be conferred before July 1, 2026.
Application Requirements
*Document requirements*

Full consideration will be given to applications completed by *July 1, 2026*.
Applications received after this date will be considered only if the
position has not been filled. Applicants should submit a proposal that
includes:

Applications will be reviewed by a *CMSI faculty selection committee*,
which may invite shortlisted candidates to participate in interviews before
final selections are made.
Questions should be directed to CMSI Director *Andrea C. Alfaro* (
andalfaro at ucdavis.edu) or CMSI Deputy Director *Michael O’Donnell* (
mjodonnell at ucdavis.edu).

   -

   Cover Letter (2 pages) - -Describe your previous research accomplishments
   -Address why you think you are a good candidate for this position
   -Describe your previous experience with community building
   -

   Research Proposal (2-3 pages) - -Description of the proposed
   collaborative research project
   -Description of how this work will leverage the expertise of and
   complement the UC Davis faculty mentors
   -Explanation of how the project fosters interdisciplinary collaboration
   -

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

   Statement of Professional Goals (1-2 pages) - -Career aspirations
   -Interest in interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching, mentorship, and
   community engagement
   -Provide examples of activities during the postdoc that will help
   develop these skills, including CMSI community-building activities
   -

   Proposed Faculty Collaborators - Provide the names and contact
   information of at least 2 UC Davis faculty members who have agreed to work
   with you if selected for the position
   -

   Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for
   all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment
   Disclosure Requirements
   <https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/shortcuts/employment_disclosure_requirement>
webpage
   for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form
   <https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/shortcuts/authorization_release_form>.

*Reference requirements*

   - 3 required (contact information only)

Provide contact information of 3 professional references. One of these
should be a proposed UC Davis faculty collaborator. We will contact
references separately.
*Apply link:* https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07627

*Help contact:* jenbanuelos at ucdavis.edu
About UC Davis

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, are
currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an
investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a
previous employer.

   - “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 or laws prohibiting sexual harassment,
   sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty,
   or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
   - UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
   <https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH>
   - UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
   <https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination>
   - APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
   <https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf>

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 consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus
<https://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/>.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All
qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without
regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other
protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals
who are legally able to work in the United States as established by
providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act
of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or
sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check
<https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify>.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a
welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our
excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of
our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety
of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students
that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: “To Boldly
Go,” <https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/strategic-plan> our Principles of
Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement
<https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/mission-statement>, and the UC Board
of Regents Policy 4400
<https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/4400.html>.

UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice
<https://excellence.ucdavis.edu/about/publications-recognitions>. There are
numerous links available on the About Us
<https://www.ucdavis.edu/about> webpage
where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings,
locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis
Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the
world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World
University Rankings <https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/about/welcome>. UC Davis
is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly
shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment
for generations to come <https://www.ucdavis.edu/climate>.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide
variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee
benefits <https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/> and UC Davis
New Employee benefits
<https://hr.ucdavis.edu/employees/benefits/new-employees> webpages have
additional information.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all
applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as
may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government
directives may impose additional requirements.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.ucar.edu/pipermail/es_jobs_net/attachments/20260509/9c56359b/attachment-0001.htm>