Ecological Economist- Postdoc

Mote Background: Mote is celebrating 70 years as one of the few remaining independent, non-profit marine research laboratories. There are 38 programs and centers in Mote’s global research enterprise, an array of STEM education/outreach efforts, and an aquarium featuring teaching and working laboratories with more than 100 marine species. Mote currently has more than 40 PhD-level scientists, over 300 staff, and approximately 1300 volunteers that are located on its main campus in Sarasota and across eight additional campuses/facilities including a state-of-the-art 200 acre marine and freshwater aquaculture research park, a 19,000 square foot International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in the Florida Keys and a new 145,000 square foot Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) that will be completed in mid-2025.  The Mote scientific expertise is considerable and diverse, and is augmented by more than 150 non-resident scientists from more than 100 different U.S. and international institutions who are involved in projects with Mote all around the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct economic assessments of seagrass restoration, including valuation of carbon sequestration, water quality improvements, and fisheries benefits.
• Develop and apply economic models to analyze the costs, benefits, and trade-offs of large-scale marine and coastal ecosystem restoration efforts with a primary focus on seagrass.
• Assess market-based mechanisms (e.g., blue carbon credits, payments for ecosystem services, biodiversity offsets) to support seagrass conservation financing.
• Work with marine scientists, policymakers, and conservation organizations to integrate economic and ecological perspectives in blue carbon projects.
• Engage with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders to develop policy recommendations for seagrass restoration funding and climate adaptation strategies.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences, policy forums, and stakeholder meetings.
• Contribute to grant writing and fundraising efforts for ongoing blue carbon sequestration and seagrass restoration initiatives. 

Qualifications & Skills

Required:

• Ph.D. in Ecological Economics, Environmental Economics, Natural Resource Economics, Marine Science, or a related field.
• Experience with economic valuation of ecosystem services, including cost-benefit analysis and carbon sequestration assessments.
• Strong quantitative skills, including expertise in economic modeling, statistical analysis (e.g., R, Python, STATA), and life-cycle assessment methods.
• Knowledge of blue carbon ecosystems, particularly seagrass meadows, and their role in climate mitigation and coastal resilience.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills, with a strong publication record.
• Ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams and stakeholder networks.

Preferred:

• Experience with carbon markets, climate finance, or ecosystem service payments.
• Familiarity with GIS and spatial analysis for ecosystem valuation and habitat mapping.
• Knowledge of international blue carbon policies and frameworks (e.g., IPCC guidelines, UNFCCC, voluntary carbon markets).
• Experience working with policymakers, conservation practitioners, and financial institutions on coastal and marine restoration projects.

Fellowship Program: Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are three-year positions providing 100% salary support, funding assistance for equipment/supplies and travel, and office and laboratory space.  The Fellowship includes mentorship from a diversity of cross-discipline Mote scientists and administrative assistance for grant proposals, contract compliance, and reporting. Exemplary Fellows have been invited to join Mote as a Staff Scientist upon completion of their initial three-year appointment.

Mote envisions significant growth in ecological economics research as part of the evolution of its current Sarasota campus into an International Marine Science, Technology and Innovation Park, continued expansion of the Mote Aquaculture Research Park, and satellite campuses.  The position also affords the opportunity for hosting visiting scientists, interactions with scientists from multiple disciplines at Mote, and oversight of student interns and volunteers. Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellows are selected based on their ability to not only strengthen and diversify the Laboratory’s significant existing research expertise, but also the potential to establish their own innovative research initiatives that address Mote’s Beyond 2020 Vision & Strategic Plan.

Application:  Recent (2022 and more recent) PhD graduates are invited to apply. Applicants with a firm expectation of graduation in 2025 will be considered. This full-time position includes an expected initial annual salary of approximately $65,000 (negotiable depending on experience), health insurance with family options, and other generous benefits including an opt-in retirement plan with employer matching, leaves for holidays, illness, and vacation, and other benefits.  To apply, please submit:

• Cover letter addressed to Kevin Claridge, Vice President of Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy, of interest including present employment status
• Academic transcript of doctoral studies
• Copy of PhD if achieved or expected graduation date
• Curriculum vitae
• Two-page essay, excluding references and exhibits, describing intended research focus as a Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellow and proposed mentors internal and external to Mote
• Three representative journal publications, in press or published
• Names and contact information for three references

To Apply: Interested applicants should apply on line by choosing “2025 Postdoctoral Fellow – Ecological Economist”  at https://mote.smapply.org/prog/job_applicants or mail a single package including cover letter, resume or c.v. and the contact information for three references to Mote Marine Laboratory, Attn: Human Resources, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected category. Mote participates in E-Verify.