Center for Marine Science - Postdoctoral Scholar

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina Wilmington ( UNCW) invite applications for a postdoctoral scholar to begin by May 2025.

The primary responsibilities of the postdoctoral scholar will be carrying out analyses, experiments, fieldwork, and integrating results for a recently funded NSF project on the cycling of components of the labile dissolved organic matter ( DOM) pool in the ocean. This study will examine the role of marine microorganisms in producing and consuming highly abundant small carbon-containing molecules called osmolytes. Specifically, the work aims to understand how marine microorganisms may change how they cycle and store osmolytes in response to environmental fluctuations in temperature and nutrient availability. The project team will culture microorganisms under nutrient-limiting conditions, measuring osmolytes and gene expression, as well as applying these techniques across environmental gradients in the ocean. As part of this project, there will be a two-week cruise in the Mid-Atlantic that the postdoctoral scholar will assist in organizing and leading. Additionally, the postdoctoral scholar will collaborate on developing and implementing a mass spectrometry data analysis training module to be conducted during the Coastal Ocean Environment Summer School in Nigeria and Ghana ( COESSING).

A strong background in marine chemistry with experience using mass spectrometry is preferred. Experience in microbiology, bioinformatics, or molecular biology is beneficial but not required.

The postdoctoral scholar will be mentored by Dr. Winifred Johnson ( johnsonwm@uncw.edu) at UNCW as well as having opportunities to work with and be mentored by the other project PIs, Dr. Harriet Alexander (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) and Dr. Erin McParland (Oregon State University). The postdoctoral scholar will be based at the Center for Marine Science ( CMS) at UNC Wilmington, the premier marine science facility of the UNC system located 15 minutes south of UNCW's main campus.

We offer:

UNCW postdoctoral scholars gain important training and research experience through their relationship with the university in ways that support and fulfill the research, scholarship, and teaching missions of the institution. Upon initial appointment, postdoctoral scholars may provide oversight of research projects and personnel, project management, assistance in development and writing of proposals and manuscripts, data acquisition, higher-level interpretation of computational results and comprehensive data analysis. These activities may be carried out in both field and laboratory settings. Postdoctoral scholars will interact with a variety of academic departments, various units within Business Affairs and Academic Affairs and other UNCW departments as needed for project management.

The UNCW postdoctoral scholar will:

This UNCW postdoctoral scholar appointment is a 12-month full-time position for up to 2.5 years total duration. Additional appointments beyond this period are dependent on acquisition of additional external funding, not to exceed a total of five years.

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree in marine science, chemistry, biology, or closely related field must be conferred before the appointment start date but no more than five (5) years prior to the appointment start date.

Exceptions to the 5-year post-degree limit may be waived in certain circumstances.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington's Center for Marine Science ( CMS) is recognized both nationally and internationally for conducting research that contributes to the understanding of environmental processes and problems. CMS strives to engage communities to address societal issues and promote use-inspired innovations.

Research at CMS includes a variety of fields such as aquaculture; coastal water resources, risks and resilience; coastal and ocean observing and modeling; ecosystem health; genomics and bioinformatics; human health and preclinical research; marine and coastal biology; marine geology and paleoclimate; marine technology; natural products chemistry; and ocean and coastal policy. Currently, there are more than 150 scientists, staff, and students housed at or working with the unit.

The teaching and research facility located on the Intracoastal Waterway in southeastern North Carolina features state of the art core facilities in spectrometry and spectroscopy, light stable isotopes, biotechnology, aquaculture, DNA and water quality analysis as well as running seawater systems, a coastal workboat fleet and a wide range of oceanographic equipment that are available to all CMS researchers.

CMS supports educational programs related to coastal and marine science, including the Applied Coastal and Ocean Science Ph.D. program and MS Marine Science degree as well as courses and students from various marine science-related academic departments across the breadth of UNCW. It also supports several outreach entities, including NC Sea Grant, the NC National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Marine Quest, among others.

The Center for Marine Science at UNC Wilmington is dedicated to providing an environment that fosters a multidisciplinary approach to questions in basic and applied coastal and marine research. The mission of the center is to support and promote coastal and marine science at UNCW, including research, outreach and service, and teaching.

This includes a variety of fields such as oceanography, coastal and wetland studies, estuarine science, marine physiology and genetics, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, marine policy and education, and other aspects of marine biology, marine and atmospheric chemistry, marine geology, environmental studies/sciences, and physical oceanography.

The center fosters research programs of the highest quality and thereby enhances the educational experience provided by The University of North Carolina Wilmington for both undergraduate and graduate students in marine science.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

At the University of North Carolina at Wilmington ( UNCW), our culture reflects our values of inclusion, diversity, globalization, ethics and integrity and innovation and we are committed to providing equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. UNCW believes that embracing the unique contributions of our faculty, staff and students is critical to our success and paramount in being recognized for our global mindset.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate educational credential requirements for the postdoctoral position based on official transcripts and other documentation as required. If the candidate(s) will teach during their appointment, then additional teaching credentials are required. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please note, this is a postdoctoral position. The length of the assignment is based on current funding allocations with the possibility of continuation. Employees in postdoc positions are considered temporary positions (non-permanent state employees) but do qualify for postdoctoral medical insurance and paid leave, unlike other temporary employees at the university. More information about postdoctoral employees can be found in the Postdoc Handbook ( https://uncw.edu/academics/graduate-school/postdoc/resources).

Interested candidates will need to submit a cover letter that explains their qualifications, research interests, and future career goals (2 pages max.), a full CV including publications, grants, mentoring experience, previous field experience, and email and phone contact information for 3 references.

To receive consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application before you apply for this position. For more information and to apply, visit the applicant portal ( https://jobs.uncw.edu/). Applications must be submitted through the online application system by 11:59pm EST of the posting close date to be considered.