PhD Student, Postdoctoral Scholar, or Postgraduate Research Assistant in Marine Fisheries

Conduct transdisciplinary research to support groundfish stock assessments

This funded opportunity is for a PhD student, postdoctoral scholar, or postgraduate research assistant to conduct scientific research that will support stock assessments for groundfishes along the US West Coast. The successful candidate will join the Integrated Marine Fisheries Lab at Oregon State University and work closely with stock assessment scientists at NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center.

Research Directions   Contemporary fisheries stock assessments integrate diverse data sources and advanced statistical modeling to characterize population dynamics and quantify scientific uncertainty for use in decision-making. This position will involve gathering fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data, analyzing complex information, and translating scientific results into management-relevant products. An important aspect of the work will be collaborating with fishery stakeholders to create a shared understanding of federally-managed species. The incumbent will contribute to ongoing research related to spatial ecology, ecological drivers of productivity, and emerging statistical methods in fisheries science. There will also be opportunities to identify novel research questions to help meet marine resource management objectives. 

Qualifications   A master’s degree (or non-US equivalent) in marine or fisheries science, ecology, statistics, or related field. The successful candidate will have strong analytical skills, demonstrable experience with writing scientific papers or technical reports, and a history of working with fishing industries and/or resource managers. Experience with field-based data collection onboard fishing vessels is preferred. Must be authorized to work in the United States are required.

Start Date   January 2027 (may be flexible)

Location   Hatfield Marine Science Center (Newport, OR)  

Salary/Benefits   This opportunity provides an initial 2 yr of support, commensurate with experience (PhD student: 31K per yr + tuition; FRA: 58 to 76K per yr; postdoctoral scholar: 69 to 76K per yr). Healthcare benefits, work-related travel, and applicable research costs are also provided. Additional funding may be secured through grants, scholarships, fellowships, and/or teaching assistantships.

To Apply   Email a single pdf to cheryl.barnes@oregonstate.edu (subject: CoopRes Opp), including: 

     1) a cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant experience,

     2) curriculum vitae or resume,

     3) unofficial transcripts, and 

     4) contact information for three references. 

Application review will begin on 2 November 2026. The position will remain open until filled.