The Smithsonian Institution invites applications for its prestigious Marine Science Network (MSN) Postdoctoral Fellowships (2026–2027). Conducted in partnership with the Smithsonian Marine Station (SMS) at Fort Pierce, Florida, and coastal research field stations across the Western Atlantic, this program supports outstanding early-career scientists conducting innovative, independent research on marine biodiversity, coastal habitats, and aquatic ecosystem function.
About the Smithsonian Marine Science Network
The Smithsonian Marine Science Network is a unique pan-institutional network of premier coastal research facilities spanning the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific. Key nodes include the Smithsonian Marine Station (SMS) at Fort Pierce, Florida; the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) on Chesapeake Bay, Maryland; the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama; and the Carrie Bow Cay Field Station on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in Belize. The network provides fellows with unprecedented comparative access to temperate, subtropical, and tropical coastal marine environments.
Scientific Themes & Research Priorities
Fellows pursue collaborative, hypothesis-driven research aligned with Smithsonian scientific staff in core marine disciplines:
- Coral Reef Resilience & Restoration: Coral reproductive biology, larval settlement dynamics, microbiome interactions, bleaching mechanisms, and disease resistance in reef-building scleractinian corals.
- Mangrove & Seagrass Ecology: Blue carbon sequestration, coastal wetland connectivity, nursery habitat energetics for juvenile finfish and invertebrates, and response to extreme storm events.
- Marine Invertebrate Zoology & Larval Ecology: Larval transport, metamorphosis triggers, chemical ecology of marine invertebrates, and benthic-pelagic coupling.
- Marine Microbial Ecology & Genomics: Environmental DNA (eDNA) biodiversity biomonitoring, marine pathogen transmission dynamics, and aquatic microbial loop processes.
- Ocean Acidification & Coastal Biogeochemistry: Nutrient flux modeling, pH buffering mechanisms in coastal shallows, and benthic metabolism.
Fellowship Awards & Financial Support
- Competitive Annual Stipend: An annual stipend of $60,000 to $62,000 per year, depending on experience and appointment track.
- Research Operating Allowance: Up to $5,000 per year in discretionary funds for laboratory reagents, field supplies, molecular sequencing, and domestic/international conference travel.
- Duration: Appointments range from 12 to 24 months of continuous support.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical and health insurance coverage provided.
- Facility Access: Full access to SMS research vessels, advanced microscopy facilities, experimental flow-through seawater systems, molecular biology labs, and long-term ecological datasets.
Candidate Eligibility & Qualifications
- Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in marine biology, biological oceanography, marine ecology, invertebrate zoology, or a related aquatic science discipline (awarded within 3 years of the start date or expected before beginning).
- Open to researchers of all nationalities. The Smithsonian Institution assists eligible international scholars with J-1 exchange visitor visa sponsorship.
- Applicants are required to identify and contact prospective Smithsonian scientific sponsors/mentors prior to application submission to ensure project feasibility and sponsorship.
Application Checklist & Required Documents
Proposals must be submitted through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA):
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Academic credentials, publication record, presentations, and technical competencies.
- Research Proposal (up to 5 pages): Clear description of research rationale, objectives, experimental methods, required Smithsonian facilities, and significance to coastal marine science.
- Abstract & Dissertation Summary: 1-page overview of doctoral research and major accomplishments.
- Letters of Reference: Three confidential letters of recommendation from established academic mentors or research supervisors.
- Letter of Sponsor Support: Statement from an affiliated Smithsonian staff scientist agreeing to serve as fellowship mentor and host.
Key Dates & Deadlines
- Smithsonian Marine Station Fellowship Deadline: November 1, 2026 (for 2027 appointments)
- Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program (SIFP) Deadline: October 15, 2026
- Appointment Start Dates: Flexible starting between Spring and Summer 2027
Official Portals & Contact Information
Prospective applicants are invited to consult the official Smithsonian research portals for advisor directories, station facilities, and detailed application guidelines:
👉 Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/research/smithsonian-marine-station
👉 Smithsonian Fellowship Opportunities & SOLAA Portal: https://fellowships.si.edu/