Job Details

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

University of California Santa Barbara

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. Application Window

Open date: March 24, 2026

Next review date: Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

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.

Position description

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: https://msi.ucsb.edu/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

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.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

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

Preferred qualifications

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 species;

Understanding of fishing fleet dynamics, with experience with High Seas or offshore fisheries preferred;

Experience compiling, processing, and analyzing large spatial fisheries datasets and/or fishing fleet behavior (via e.g., AIS data) in management contexts;

Demonstrated understanding of how insights from fisheries management and/or economic modeling can be meaningfully linked to applied conservation and real-world marine management contexts;

Excellent quantitative and data analysis skills including programming in R, Python, or similar, and proficiency in using GitHub and other data management tools;

Experience summarizing and visualizing data in accessible and compelling formats for non-technical audiences;

Proven record of independently leading research projects and accomplishing research goals, including flexible project management in applied research settings;

Demonstrated experience publishing peer-reviewed research;

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in the context of managing collaborators and liaising with members of government, industry, and non-governmental organizations.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
  
• Cover Letter - A one- to two-page cover letter should include a summary of the applicant's relevant accomplishments, professional aspirations, and demonstrated service to their professional and/or academic communities.
  

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

The search committee will contact references of the top candidate(s) after the interview(s). After references are checked, a top candidate will be chosen.
Apply link: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03092

Help contact: lswanson@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara

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.

• "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 or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

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 or federal law.
Job location
Santa Barbara, CA UCSB

To apply, please visit: https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF03092







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