Title Postdoctoral Scholar in Sustainable Seafood

Organization Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego

Location La Jolla, California, USA

Workplace Description 

The Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography integrates biological, physical, and social science research and educational approaches to maintain the integrity of ocean ecosystems and manage their use in the face of rapid and inevitable global change. CMBC removes barriers between science and application by building trust, access, and exchange by establishing relationships that advance solutions. 

Scripps Institution of Oceanography is an international leader in earth and environmental research, with faculty, students, and staff innovating across disciplines. Working across counterpart departments at UC San Diego, Scripps Oceanography provides a setting for unparalleled collaborative efforts spanning science, engineering, business, economics, and the arts. CMBC leverages this context by spanning expertise from Scripps Oceanography and the rest of the UC San Diego community. More information about CMBC can be found at: https://cmbc.ucsd.edu/

Position Overview

The Postdoctoral Scholar in Sustainable Seafood will help CMBC expand its role as a reliable information source on sustainable seafood. They will do this by extending and growing CMBC’s new and continuing research and programs in collaboration with both internal and external partners, including academics, industry, and non-profits.

The Postdoctoral Scholar in Sustainable Seafood must have an extensive understanding of sustainable seafood and related adaptation strategies at various scales. Aligned with CMBC’s interdisciplinary approach, the Postdoctoral Scholar in Sustainable Seafood will work with and draw from multiple perspectives, including: fisheries management, social science, business, supply chains, food security, environmental justice, and marine conservation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing sponsored research, education and outreach projects as part of CMBC’s collaborations with industry partners (e.g. seafood supply chains)
• Maintain relationship with sponsored research partners across wide geographies through strong communication and regular meetings
• Developing, coordinating, and executing stakeholder, educational, and collaborative workshops for a variety of audiences, including non-scientists
• Drafting science-informed recommendations and strategies for sustainable seafood initiatives
• Building and maintaining relationships with fishing communities, non-profits, and others
• Traveling regularly to consult with sponsored research partners in U.S. and abroad
• Conducting education and outreach programs about sustainable seafood at CMBC and with partners
• Publishing research in peer-reviewed journals and presenting results at national and international conferences

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree or equivalent terminal degree in Marine Sciences, Oceanography, Social Sciences, or related field or discipline related to sustainable seafood
• Understanding of seafood systems
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment
• Ability to pursue research independently
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fisheries management, social science, business, supply chains, food security, environmental justice, and marine conservation
• Demonstrated experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate students
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish

Salary Range

$69,073 - $80,034, depending upon experience

Approximate Start Date and End Date

March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2028. Position is for 2 years with the possibility of extension.

Application Deadline

Sunday February 16, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT

Application Components & Submission

Submit a single PDF titled “[Your Last Name]_CMBCPostdoc_Sustainable Seafood” to cmbc@ucsd.edu by Sunday February 16, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT

Your Application PDF should include the following materials in the order listed below: 

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research Experience (max. 2 pages)
• Contact information for three (3) professional references
• Misconduct Authorization of Information Release Form*

https://aps.ucsd.edu/_files/oars/Authorization_Release_of_Information_Form.pdf

Questions?: email cmbc@ucsd.edu

UC San Diego is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and is committed to maintaining an atmosphere that is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and exploitation.

Additional Details:

• *The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in university programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC San Diego requires all candidates for academic appointments to complete, sign, and upload the Misconduct Authorization of Information Release form into AP Recruit as part of their application. If the candidate 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. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for positions will be subject to an institutional reference check.
• Any offer of Postdoctoral Scholar appointment is contingent upon evidence of a doctoral degree, stated research qualifications, documentation of employment eligibility in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and agreement to start on the appointment start date specified in an offer letter. Failure to meet these conditions would result in rescission of an offer. 
• Upon becoming a member of the UC San Diego community, the selected candidate would be responsible for reviewing, understanding and following campus policies, guidelines, appointment expectations, collective bargaining agreement and research regulations.
• Postdoctoral Scholars must have adequate health insurance coverage for the duration of the appointment. They are eligible to participate in the UC Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plan (PSBP), which includes medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, disability insurance, and workers’ compensation, and which satisfies U.S. visa requirements. Eligible dependents may also participate in the medical, vision and dental plans. Postdoctoral Scholars are obligated to contribute to the monthly subscriber portion of the medical insurance premium, unless they opt out.
• In addition to your research training, UC San Diego Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs offers professional development and career training opportunities to ensure you achieve the highest level of academic and research excellence. We invite you to visit the website http://postdoc.ucsd.edu to learn more about their programs.
• Postdoctoral appointment durations vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding. Total duration of an individual’s postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at other institutions. The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is the exclusive representative of the postdoctoral scholars at UC. https://postdoc.ucsd.edu/postdocs/px-contract.html

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy (including Postdoctoral Scholars) must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.