The PDI will contribute to several ongoing projects examining multi-trophic ecosystem variability in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Responsibilities may include:
Analysis and synthesis of long-term plankton and oceanographic datasets from observational programs and model outputs;
Development of statistical and machine-learning approaches (e.g., GAMs, Random Forests, synchrony analyses);
Investigation of plankton population dynamics and trophic transfer;
Participation in coupled physical-biological modeling and connectivity analyses;
Preparation of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations;
Contributing to proposal development and collaborative research initiatives involving federal agencies, regional research programs, and academic partners.
The position provides opportunities to work with a broad interdisciplinary network of collaborators involved in ecosystem observation and assessment, biological-physical interactions, and ecosystem forecasting across the Northwest Atlantic ecosystem.
Requirements
Applicants should have:
A Ph.D. in biological oceanography, marine ecology, oceanography, ecology, environmental science, or a related field;
Experience working on plankton ecology and pelagic ecosystem dynamics (preferred);
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, with preference for experience in coupled physical-biological modeling, statistical analyses, and/or machine-learning approaches; Experience working with ecological or oceanographic datasets is preferred;
Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB);
A demonstrated record of peer-reviewed scientific publication; and
The ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary collaborative environments.
Appointment
This is a two-year position based in the Biology Department at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, with the expectation that the successful candidate will work on site. Continuation into the second year is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.
Review of applications will begin on July 15, 2026 , and continue until the position is filled. The tentative start date is September 1, 2026 .
Application Materials
Applicants should submit: 1) A cover letter describing research interests and relevant experience; 2) Curriculum vitae; and 3) Contact information for three references.
Interested candidates should contact Dr. Rubao Ji (rji@whoi.edu) for additional information. Applications should be submitted through the WHOI Careers website: https://careers.whoi.edu.
Additional Job Requirements
Salary Range: $68,381-$75,498
EEO Statement
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Benefits
Equity / stock options
Additional Information
Job Summary
A Postdoctoral Investigator (PDI) position is available in the Biology Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to study environmental impacts on plankton food webs and trophic dynamics in the Northwest Atlantic ocean ecosystem. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research program focused on understanding how physical oceanographic variability influences plankton communities and the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels, including forage fish, marine mammals, and endangered North Atlantic right whales. The projects integrate long-term observations, ocean observing systems, statistical analyses, and ecosystem modeling to improve understanding and prediction of ecosystem variability across seasonal to decadal time scales.
Job Description
Whoi · Onsite – Woods Hole, MA