Postdoctoral Research Associate - Phytoplankton Ecology

Texas A&M University; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Phytoplankton Ecology at the Harte Research Institute. The role focuses on understanding brown tide dynamics, data analysis, mentoring students, and stakeholder engagement within a NOAA ECOHAB project framework.

The incumbent will coordinate activities, acquire and analyze data, and contribute to manuscript preparation while expanding methodological capacities in estuarine phytoplankton 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, Outlook).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for broad audiences.
• Desire to collaborate with a wide range of partners and stakeholders.
• Experience with project management and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to participate in field work under harsh conditions such as heat and wind.
• Experience with time-series data and community structure data analysis.
• Experience with R software packages (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project activities with PI, Co-PIs and staff; implement project plans.
• Participate in field and lab activities to acquire data and process samples.
• Analyze water quality data and publish results in peer-reviewed venues.
• Develop new avenues of research and submit grant applications.

Skills

Phytoplankton identification

Phytoplankton ecology

Microsoft Office

Verbal & written communication

Project management

Field work readiness

Time-series analysis

R software (preferred)

Education

Ph.D. in Marine Science or related field

Tools

R

Job description

Job TitlePostdoctoral Research Associate - Phytoplankton Ecology Agency Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Department Harte Research Institute Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationCorpus Christi, Texas Job TypeStaff

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

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

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.

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
• DUAL CAREER PARTNER PROGRAM ON-CAMPUS WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES 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.
• The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee.
• Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees.
• External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting. Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site.
• The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.