Careers

Postdoctoral Scientist

Zooplankton and Fish at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS) is a U.S. not-for-profit marine research and educational organization based in Bermuda. For over 120 years ASU BIOS has been committed to seeking and sharing fundamental knowledge of the oceans and complex environmental issues through exploration, hands-on programs, cutting-edge technology, and state-of-the-art research methods. ASU BIOS is part of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Lab at Arizona State University (ASU), whose focus is to design options to sustain global habitability and improve well-being for all humankind.

The Maas lab at the ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scientist to participate in the BIOS-SCOPE project to explore the role of zooplankton and mesopelagic fish in the biological pump and microbial food webs in the Sargasso Sea. The successful applicant would be responsible for taking advantage of a wide array of imaging (distributional) datasets, access to ship time to conduct physiological experiments, and the analytical tools at ASU BIOS to detail the role of metazoans on DOC and POC fluxes in the region.

The position is part of a large and exciting collaboration with researchers from around the world who are leveraging the BATS time series, as well as cutting-edge technologies, to study the collective metabolism of the planktonic community and determine the mechanisms by which they play a vital role in governing global biogeochemical cycles. The post-doc will be integrated into the group lead by PIs Amy Maas and Leocadio Blanco-Bercial, whose focus is on eukaryotic plankton ecology, evolution, and biogeochemical cycling. This is a dynamic group with several federally-funded grants, six graduate students, three research assistants, two postdocs (one on site) and various undergraduate students.

Minimum Requirements

PhD in biology, oceanography, or a closely related field.
Basic knowledge of metazoan physiology, ocean biogeochemical cycling and plankton food web dynamics.
Ability to participate in several short oceanographic cruises per year (from ASU BIOS).
Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Publications in peer-reviewed journals related to the minimum qualifications.
Ability to pursue research independently.

The position is for 12 months, with a possibility of extension based on performance. Salary includes a generous benefits package. Due to the nature and obligations of the job, place of residence will be Bermuda. Ideally the postdoc would begin in Fall 2027. In addition to research training, ASU BIOS offers professional development and career training opportunities to ensure postdocs achieve the highest level of academic and research excellence. The postdoc will be encouraged to apply for independent funding as a principal or co-principal investigator.

To apply please submit electronically, a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae, the contact details of two references, and a 2-page (Times New Roman 12, single spaced) statement of past research and future plans. The applicant package should be emailed to [email protected]; [email protected] and [email protected] (please reference the job title in the subject line of your email).

Applications will be reviewed starting April 30, 2026, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

ASU BIOS is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free workplace and excellent learning environment.

Research Technician

The Marine Ecology Lab at ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Research Technician to join our team and report to the Research Specialist. The position will be for an initial period of 2 years with extensions dependent on job performance. The successful applicant will provide field and laboratory support for ongoing research programs investigating:

Microbial carbon cycling in the oligotrophic Sargasso Sea.
Microbial dynamics within a seasonal oxygen minimum zone.
Viral abundance in the Red Sea and Pacific Ocean.

The successful candidate will be working closely with senior lab members and will support marine sample collection and processing, incubation experiments, and extraction of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) for downstream molecular analyses. The position also involves general laboratory operations, including organization, inventory management, ordering, and data stewardship. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential. There is scope for intellectual contribution to ongoing projects and a limited independent research component within the constraints of the funded program.

Duties / Responsibilities

Support ongoing research on microbial carbon cycling through collection & processing samples.
Conduct microscopy-based analyses, including bacterial and viral abundance measurements.
Perform DNA & RNA extractions & assist with downstream molecular workflows, including PCR/qPCR.
Assist with the setup, execution, and sampling of incubation experiments.
Support microbiological culturing activities as directed.
Conduct data analyses and prepare data figures or summaries for presentations and publications.
Participate in field and sea-going research activities, including deployment of equipment and shipboard sampling.
Assist with the operation and basic maintenance of shared laboratory equipment and facilities.
Maintain laboratory organization, cleanliness, and compliance with safety and operational standards.
Support project coordination and laboratory administration.
Train student interns on laboratory protocols as required.

Qualifications and Skills

BSc (with experience) or MSc in biology, biochemistry, microbiology, molecular/cell biology, biological oceanography, environmental science, or closely related discipline.
Demonstrated experience working in a biological or chemical laboratory setting.
General laboratory skills, including reagent prep, lab cleaning & organization, sample handling, sterile technique, record keeping, & safety protocols.
Ability to follow detailed protocols and document work clearly and reproducibly.
Strong organization skills and competence working with data (entry, organization, quality control).
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a research team, with strong communication skills.
Experience with light and/or epifluorescence microscopy for microbial and viral abundance counts.
Familiarity with molecular workflows, including nucleic acids extractions and quantitation.
Experience with microbial culturing techniques.
Strong time-management skills are essential, as this position involves several related projects.
Experience contributing to the development, adaptation, or optimization of laboratory protocols.
Prior field or sea-going experience, including environmental sample collections.
Basic experience with data analysis or scripting using R, Python, or similar programming languages.
Experience with laboratory logistics, including ordering & tracking supplies and maintaining inventories.

For further information on this position or to make a formal application, email a cover letter, CV/resumé, and contact details for two academic/professional referees, please contact Rachel Parsons ([email protected]).

Closing date: April 11, 2026

ASU BIOS is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free workplace and excellent learning environment.

Contact Info

HR Department
[email protected]