The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has officially opened applications for its prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (2026–2027). Based at MBARI’s cutting-edge oceanographic facilities in Moss Landing, California, this competitive fellowship supports exceptional early-career scientists and engineers conducting independent, innovative research in biological oceanography, marine ecology, ocean technology, and deep-sea exploration.
About the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Founded in 1987 by David Packard, MBARI is a world-renowned non-profit oceanographic research institution dedicated to developing peerless technological solutions to explore the deep ocean. Situated on the shores of Monterey Bay, the institute enjoys direct access to Monterey Canyon—one of the largest and most ecologically diverse submarine canyons in North America. MBARI bridges cutting-edge marine engineering with biological, chemical, physical, and geological ocean sciences.
Fellowship Focus Areas & Scientific Themes
Fellows pursue self-directed research projects developed in collaboration with one or more MBARI scientific sponsors or engineering mentors. Core disciplines include:
- Biological Oceanography & Marine Ecology: Midwater ecology, benthic community dynamics, bioluminescence, gelatinous zooplankton biology, environmental DNA (eDNA), and larval transport.
- Chemical & Biogeochemical Oceanography: Ocean acidification, hypoxia, carbon fluxes, deep-sea nutrient cycling, and in situ geochemical sensing.
- Marine Robotics & Autonomous Systems: Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), long-range autonomous surface vessels, and underwater imaging.
- Ocean Engineering & Sensor Technology: Advanced bio-optical sensors, acoustic monitoring networks, laser spectroscopy, and deep-ocean observation platforms.
- Marine Geology & Geophysics: Submarine canyon morphogenesis, methane seep dynamics, and underwater volcanism.
Fellowship Benefits & Support Package
- Competitive Annual Stipend: An annual salary of approximately $82,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and postdoctoral experience.
- Research & Travel Budget: Generous discretionary funding for research consumables, high-performance computing, conference presentations, and professional development.
- Fleet & Facility Access: Direct operational access to MBARI’s state-of-the-art research vessels (including the R/V David Packard and R/V Western Flyer), advanced ROVs (ROV Ventana and ROV Doc Ricketts), test tanks, and video annotation laboratories.
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision, disability, and retirement contribution plans.
- Duration: 2-year appointment, contingent upon successful first-year research progress.
Candidate Eligibility & Qualifications
- Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in oceanography, marine science, biology, chemistry, engineering, computer science, or a related discipline, completed within 3 years prior to the appointment date (or expected before beginning the fellowship).
- Open to all nationalities. MBARI assists international scholars with J-1 visa sponsorship and documentation.
- Candidates are strongly encouraged to communicate with prospective MBARI research sponsors prior to submission to discuss project alignment, facility feasibility, and mentorship.
Application Checklist & Required Documents
Applications must be submitted through MBARI’s official online portal and must include:
- Curriculum Vitae: Comprehensive academic CV, publication list, field expeditions, and awards.
- Research Proposal (3–4 pages): A concise research plan detailing scientific hypotheses, methodology, required MBARI resources/vessels, and broader oceanographic impact.
- Statement of Prior Research: Brief summary of doctoral dissertation and key scientific contributions (1–2 pages).
- Letters of Recommendation: Three confidential letters of reference from established scientists or academic advisors.
Key Dates & Application Timeline
- Applications Opened: Mid-September 2026
- Application Deadline: December 2, 2026 (5:00 PM Pacific Time)
- Award Notification: Late February 2027
- Fellowship Start Date: Flexible between Spring and Autumn 2027
Official Links & Application Portal
Interested candidates should review the complete fellowship guidelines, sponsor directory, and submission portal via the official links below:
👉 MBARI Postdoctoral Fellowship Official Page: https://www.mbari.org/products/research-fellowships/postdoc-fellowships/
👉 MBARI Research Mentors & Careers Portal: https://www.mbari.org/careers/