Overview

The Marine Invasions Research Laboratory at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) seeks a Program Coordinator to support an international initiative in the field of marine bioinvasions. The BRIDGE program (Bioinvasion Research Integration across Dynamic Global Ecosystems; bridge.si.edu) is a global network of networks that provides a platform for communication, coordination, and collaboration to advance marine bioinvasion science and biosecurity at scale. Established in 2025 with funding from the US National Science Foundation, BRIDGE aims to advance a standardized framework and improve capacity to address knowledge gaps at scales that limit invasion science, management, and policy.

The BRIDGE Program Coordinator will lead the logistical, communication, and organizational needs of the program and serve as an important point of contact. Specifically, the Program Coordinator will coordinate and attend regular meetings of program leadership, Steering Committee, Working Groups, and the BRIDGE community at large. Further, the coordinator will help engage network participants, expand collaborations, and seek opportunities to increase program visibility. Important tasks include coordination and logistical support for network workshops and trainings.

The Program Coordinator will also ensure fluid communication across the network of networks by using creative approaches to facilitate meaningful and sustained communication among diverse network entities and members with different language, cultural, and academic backgrounds. This person will also support communication between the BRIDGE program and different key stakeholders, including managers, policy makers, and the public.

The Program Coordinator will also support the training objectives of the program by helping advertise, organize, and process applications for network-wide training opportunities and scientific exchanges, in close collaboration with the BRIDGE Training Working Group.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week, on site at SERC. The standard schedule may include some weekend work and travel (domestic and international) for networking activities.

Key Responsibilities

Duties will include:

• Supporting the logistical, communication and organizational needs of an international network of networks focused on marine bioinvasions
• Administering project resources and budget
• Coordinating and participating in all BRIDGE meetings and events
• Organizing and archiving detailed meeting records and program documents
• Facilitating communication across the network of networks
• Providing logistical support for annual network meetings, trainings, workshops, and scientific exchanges
• Preparing and sharing program materials through a variety of communication channels

We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We recognize that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences and background to this position. Competitive candidates will have some, but not necessarily all, of the listed qualifications and experiences, and we anticipate some on-the-job training will be provided. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race/ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital/parental/caregiver status and disability. Candidates for this position should be U.S. citizens or have a current visa/status that permits employment in the U.S.

Qualifications and Requirements

Desired Qualifications and Experience: 

• MS or PhD degree in marine science or equivalent or at least 5 years of relevant work experience
• Experience in biological invasions research, biosecurity, or related field
• Experience participating in or coordinating international collaborations
• Language (e.g., Spanish) and cultural fluencies
• Excellent organizational and communication skills with attention to detail
• Ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Ability to take initiative and work effectively, independently, and as part of a team
• Experience facilitating group activities with diverse participants
• Experience engaging undergraduate and graduate students and early career professionals
• Experience coordinating activities among diverse partners that span different cultures, backgrounds and priorities