Friday Harbor Laboratories and the University of Washington are seeking a full-time (100% FTE) postdoctoral scholar. We have an opportunity for an outstanding marine scientist who will develop research activities that leverage FHL assets, including field sites and existing laboratory facilities, building on the long history of research accomplishments of FHL resident scientists. The postdoctoral scholar is expected to conduct research that makes use of marine species, communities, or ecosystems found in the Salish Sea region, working under the mentorship of a faculty member at FHL or at other UW campuses. Co-mentorship by a non-UW scientist is possible. Research needs to be conducted in person on San Juan Island.

This appointment has an initial term of 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year pending funding and successful completion of performance objectives. Funding for the position will include a modest supplement for research and travel costs. There will be opportunities for professional development within the FHL community, e.g. via mentoring student research, committee work and outreach.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct independent marine science research based at FHL.

The salary for this position will be $5705-$7000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor Prevailing wage determination. University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five years/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience.

The anticipated start date is between June 15, 2025, and Sept. 15, 2025. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by Nov. 15, 2024.

Postdoctoral scholars at UW are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington  Labor Relations website. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must have completed a PhD in some facet of marine sciences by the start date of the appointment and have no more than three years of total postdoctoral experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated strong analytical and writing skills as seen in record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience working effectively in a collaborative group.
• Experience mentoring student research.
• Experience engaging with audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. We seek candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. Applicants from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

About FHL

Friday Harbor Laboratories is the University of Washington's marine laboratory, located on San Juan Island, 70 miles north of the Seattle campus in the Salish Sea, on Lummi, Samish, Klallam, and Tulalip land. FHL is located on a 490-acre biological reserve. The primary mission of FHL is marine research, with teaching and public outreach also important parts of our mission. FHL was established over 100 years ago and operates year-round, bringing scientists, students, and scholars from all over the world together to study and conduct research in the marine sciences.

FHL is a unique unit within the College. As a research station located at a distance from any of the main campuses, FHL offers undergraduate and graduate classes, operates dormitories and The Whiteley Center for Scholars, hosts conferences and workshops, supports scientific diving and other research from FHL-owned vessels and small boats, and runs a dining hall. Given this diversity of operations, FHL is also home to diverse users and visitors from all over the globe who come to learn, study, teach, and discover. FHL is committed to fostering an environment that is professional, ethical, inclusive and respectful of all who participate in our community, and expects all FHL employees, students and visitors to contribute positively to the community.

The property consists of coastal and upland habitat with 70 buildings, including onsite housing and a dining hall that is open for three quarters per year, as well as in winter for workshops and conferences. There are 12 lab buildings, 11 of which have flow-through seawater; a computer lab; a campus-wide mesh wifi network; and a stockroom that carries many of the consumables needed for the range of research conducted at the labs. There is a fully equipped lab for molecular biology, including an RT-PCR machine. FHL also has a 42? research vessel and smaller boats for nearshore work, an active diving program, a cabled ocean observing center, flow cytometer, flume lab, and imaging facility.

FHL is a part of the UW College of the Environment, which includes six Schools and Departments plus multiple programs, institutes, and centers; the College connects educators, researchers, students and citizens, cultivating communities who work with and learn from each other while tackling critical environmental challenges. Field stations are focal points for both hands-on education and cutting-edge research. All FHL facilities are available to visiting and resident researchers, including students at all levels (with appropriate training), creating an egalitarian atmosphere. We have robust scholarship and internship programs that enable us to attract underrepresented minorities and students with few financial resources. The wealth of tools available in buildings that sit adjacent to healthy and diverse marine habitats make FHL an attractive destination for students and researchers from around the world. FHL postdocs therefore join a core mass of resident faculty and graduate student researchers and have ample opportunities to interact with a broad spectrum of scientists from UW and beyond. Friday Harbor Labs is also a center for science outreach to K12 students, scientists, and the general public on San Juan Island. Postdocs at FHL frequently volunteer in our outreach program.

To apply for this position, please apply via Interfolio. Applicants must submit:

1. Cover letter that includes an overview of research interests, a brief research proposal describing potential research project(s) at FHL, and potential faculty mentor(s). Address questions about this statement to FHL Director Megan Dethier (mdethier@uw.edu).
2. CV
3. A separate statement (1 page or less) about your demonstrated history of working with BIPOC populations.
4. Names and contact information for three references.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University?s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member?s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

About University of Washington

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest public institutions in the west coast and one of the preeminent research universities in the world. The University of Washington is a multi-campus university comprised of three different campuses: Seattle, Tacoma, and Bothell. The Seattle campus is made up of sixteen schools and colleges that serve students ranging from an undergraduate level to a doctoral level. The university is home to world-class libraries, arts, music, drama, and sports, as well as the highest quality medical care in Washington State and a world-class academic medical center. The teaching and research of the University’s many professional schools provide undergraduate and graduate students the education necessary toward achieving an excellence that will serve the state, the region, and the nation. As part of a large and diverse community, the University of Washington serves more students than any other institution in the Northwest.

Connections working at University of Washington