Postdoctoral Research Associate - Phytoplankton Ecology

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 47,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi’s Harte Research Institute invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Phytoplankton Ecology. The role supports a NOAA ECOHAB grant focusing on brown tide dynamics in the Texas coastal ecosystem.

The successful candidate will gain experience in project management, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement while analyzing phytoplankton dynamics and collaborating with diverse researchers. The position is based on our Corpus Christi campus.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Marine Science or related field.
• Experience with phytoplankton identification.
• Fundamental knowledge of phytoplankton ecology.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for broad audiences.
• Desire to work with a broad spectrum of collaborators and stakeholders.
• Experience with project management and meeting goals in a timely manner.
• Ability to participate in field work under harsh conditions (heat, wind).
• Experience with statistical techniques for time-series and community data.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project activities with PI, Co-PIs and staff.
• Participate in field and laboratory-based data collection activities.
• Analyze water quality data and submit results to the data manager.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at meetings.
• Develop new avenues of research and submit grant applications.

Skills

Phytoplankton IDs

Phytoplankton ecology

MS Office

Communication

Project management

Field work

Time-series analysis

Statistics

Collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Marine Science or related field

Tools

R software

Job description

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Phytoplankton Ecology

Agency

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Department

Harte Research Institute

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Corpus Christi, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54 foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member institutions and associated agencies.

TAMU-CC’s beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern, attractive, and state-of-the‑art classroom buildings and support facilities.

PURPOSE

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the Coastal Water Health lab at the Harte Research Institute. The postdoctoral researcher will conduct research under the auspices of a new NOAA ECOHAB grant that focuses on understanding dynamics of Aureoumbra lagunensis (“brown tide”) blooms in the Baffin Bay-Upper Laguna Madre ecosystem of Texas. The postdoctoral researcher will gain experience in project management, project development, mentoring (of undergraduate/graduate students) and stakeholder engagement. Opportunities also exist for comparative analysis of phytoplankton dynamics between estuarine systems that vary in e.g., freshwater inflow, nutrient loadings, etc.

Description

Functional Area 1: Project Coordination

Percent Effort: 10%

• Coordinate project activities in collaboration with PI, Co-PIs and assigned staff
• Implement project activities

Functional Area 2: Data Acquisition

Percent Effort: 40%

• Participate in field and laboratory-based project activities to acquire data
• Process and analyze samples collected
• Develop new techniques as appropriate for project

Functional Area 3: Research and Data Analysis

Percent Effort: 40%

• Analyze water quality data
• Submit data to a data manager in a timely manner
• Publish results in peer reviewed journals and present at local/national/international meetings.

Functional Area 4: Research Development

Percent Effort: 10%

• Develop new avenues of research
• Submit grant applications to support new avenues of research

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Marine Science or related field
• Experience with phytoplankton identification, preferably including marine taxa.
• Fundamental knowledge of phytoplankton ecology
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience communicating scientific findings to a broad audience.
• Desire to work with a broad spectrum of collaborators, managers, and stakeholders.
• Experience with project management and ability to meet project goals in a timely manner.
• Ability to participate in field work under occasional harsh conditions such as heat and wind
• Experience with appropriate statistical techniques for analyzing time-series data and community structure data

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with R software packages

Note

• This a grant-funded position. Continued employment contingent upon available funding.
• Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026.

SALARY

$4,166.67 - $4,791.67 Monthly ($50,000 - $57,500 Annually Approximately)

BENEFITS (rules, Policies, Eligibility Apply)

From our generous benefits package and professional development opportunities, to our retirement programs and our commitment to service excellence, the Island University is an engaging and rewarding place to work.

Insurance

• Medical
  • $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value).
  • Up to 83% of premium covered by the university:
    • Employee and Spouse
    • Employee and Children
    • Employee and Family coverage
• Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account

Work Life Solutions

• Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources

Tuition Benefits

• Public Loan Forgiveness
• Book scholarships
• 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply).

Retirement

• Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
• Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan

Time Off

• 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.
• 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.
• 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.
• 12-15 paid holidays each year.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.