POSITION OVERVIEW
Position title: Postdoctoral Fellow in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay
based on the individual’s Experience Level, which is determined by the number of months of postdoctoral service at any
institution. See the salary scale titled, Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee / Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow / Postdoctoral
Scholar-Paid Direct – Fiscal Year. A reasonable estimate for this position is $69,073-$77,030. The fellow will also receive
$2,000 in travel and $5,000 in research supplies per year.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: July 1, 2026
Position duration (maximum duration of service in a Postdoctoral title): Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are
full-time and the initial appointment is for a minimum of two years. Reappointment is anticipated following a satisfactory
performance review and contingent upon the availability of funding. The total duration of an individual’s postdoctoral
service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at any institution. Only candidates with 0-3 years of
previous postdoctoral experience are eligible for this fellowship.
Job Location: Coastal Science Campus, Santa Cruz, California
POSITION DESCRIPTION
With generous funding from the Moore Foundation, the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EEB) at the
University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow in EEB, broadly defined to include
ecology, conservation biology, ecophysiology, behavior, phylogenetics, comparative organismal biology, population
genetics, and evolution, as well as discipline-based education research. The Fellow will have a collaborative research
program that bridges the interests of two or more EEB faculty research groups. Candidates should contact appropriate
faculty sponsors before applying.
The Fellow will play a leadership role in our community, serving as a resource, collaborator, and role model to our
graduate students. In service of that role, the Fellow will lead a workshop, seminar, or similar activities that contribute to
community-building at UC Santa Cruz. These activities may focus on broad research techniques or topics, career
development, or broadening opportunities in our field. Fellows should discuss leadership possibilities with their prospective
faculty sponsors.
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: https://eeb.ucsc.edu/
QUALIFICATIONS
Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology or related fields. Ph.D. must be conferred before
July 1, 2026.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
All documents and materials must be submitted as a single PDF titled “Lastname_Firstname” and emailed to
eebrecruitment@ucsc.edu with the subject “EEB postdoctoral fellowship”.
Interested candidates should submit the following:
– Cover letter (1 page): Letter of application that summarizes the candidate’s research experience, qualifications,
interest in the position, and confirms the candidate’s ability to start in person no later than July 1, 2026
– CV
– Research Statement: A short description of research accomplishments (1 page maximum)
– Description of proposed research with at least 2 EEB faculty mentors (2 page maximum, including figures;
references may be in addition to the page limit)
– Description of proposed community-building leadership (1 page maximum)
– PDF of two manuscripts (published, preprints, or drafts)
– Letters of Recommendation (2; Letter writers should submit letters as PDFs named “Candidate Last Name_Letter
Writer Last Name” directly to eebrecruitment@ucsc.edu)
We encourage candidates to discuss how they have expanded the reach and impact of their scientific activities in any or
all of their documents.
APPLICATION WINDOW
Full consideration will be given to applications completed by March 15, 2026. Applications received after this date will be
considered only if the position has not been filled.
General questions about this position may be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. Rita Mehta at rmehta2@ucsc.edu
ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or
judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
● “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of
employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual
assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
● UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
● UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
● APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age,
protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti- Discrimination Policy.
It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with
its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at
jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.
Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime
Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by
October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years.
A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1. Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530. UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.
UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of
this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal
HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.
Postdocs and their qualified family members are eligible to participate in the UC Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plan
(PSBP), which includes medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, disability insurance, and
workers’ compensation, provided by Gallagher Benefits Services. Complete information is available at
https://c2mb.ajg.com/uc/home/. The University of California also offers a number of programs to support employee
work-/life balance. For information, please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/work-life-support/.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining
agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
