Postdoctoral Research Scholar: Marine Biodiversity and Corporate Sustainability

Description

The Arizona State University Center for Biodiversity Outcomes and School of Life Sciences invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar position to join a vibrant and growing interdisciplinary team of faculty, students, and non-academic partners to develop and implement a portfolio of projects that advance marine biodiversity conservation policy and action in the United States. The position is a full-time, non-tenure track, benefits eligible position with an anticipated start date in May 2026.

Salary: $61,008 - $72,100, annually, depending on experience; DOE 

Expanding and applying knowledge about marine biodiversity is critical to improving decision-making in all sectors with regards to resource management and investment. A whole-of-society approach to synthesizing, expanding, and sharing ocean and coastal biodiversity knowledge and strengthening institutions to apply this knowledge can support improved evidence-based protection and sustainable use.

The private sector is critical for achieving sustainable outcomes, and due to regulatory and social pressure is increasingly interested in working in the realm of biodiversity conservation However, it is still unclear how biodiversity information can best be integrated into private-sector processes in ways that accomplish both business goals and biodiversity conservation. Our project focuses on interrelated questions: (1) What are the key private sector actors and industries with a stake in ocean biodiversity? (2) What are the goals, needs, and capacities of these key private sector actors? (3) What are immediate opportunities for coordinating action across the private sector, public sector, and civil society organizations? (4) Where are knowledge gaps that preclude action? Our proposed work facilitates action to improve the sustainability of marine, freshwater, and coastal biodiversity in the U.S.

About the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes

Our mission is to enable the discoveries and solutions needed to sustain Earth’s biodiversity in a time of rapid biophysical, institutional and cultural change. Biodiversity is the foundation of our economy and well-being. The center innovates path-breaking, practical solutions in biodiversity conservation by partnering with NGOs, corporations, governments, and other academic institutions while training the next generation of conservation leaders. We envision a world where the diversity of life on Earth is valued and sustained for the benefit of all. CBO supports research that accelerates the success of sustainable biodiversity outcomes. As a boundary organization, the center employs an actionable science model to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration and co-produce solutions with government agencies, non-governmental agencies, foundations, and corporations. This position will have the opportunity to engage in collaborations as part of the center’s existing partnerships with Blue Convergence Fund, NOAA, Smithsonian Institution, Trellis, and others. Learn more at http://biodiversity.asu.edu/.

 About the School of Life Sciences

The School of Life Sciences has provided a vital hub for creative excellence at Arizona State University, with a community of more than 670 faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff, and research that ranges from studies on biodiesel and biohydrogen to vaccine development and the conservation of desert tortoises. As ASU’s first academic unit to fully reflect President Michael Crow’s integrated, interdisciplinary vision for the New American University, the School of Life Sciences offers active and evolving platforms for collaborative, cutting-edge research and faculty whose discovery is freed from traditional institutional boundaries. Learn more at https://sols.asu.edu/.

About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.

 About Arizona State University

ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves. Learn more at https://www.asu.edu/.

 

Qualifications

Essential Functions:

• Conduct research: discover and synthesize relevant literature; compile, analyze, and synthesize data; disseminate results in presentations and peer-reviewed publications
• Extend/develop a typology for how marine biodiversity is relevant to companies
• Identify sectors of the economy that rely on/benefit from ocean biodiversity and synthesize data on sector characteristics
• Identify gaps between existing ocean biodiversity knowledge and current organizational activity to understand needed research
• Help lead a virtual convening and workshop, which will be developed based on discussions and input from key private sector partners
• Assist with translation of concepts into forms relevant and compelling to private sector stakeholders
• Work closely with a transdisciplinary team, including faculty, students, government scientists, philanthropic partners, NGO scientists, private sector groups, and community members
• Assist with funding applications to support project continuation.

 

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD (or terminal degree) by the time of appointment in business, conservation biology, economics, public policy, sustainability, or other degree that includes training at the nexus of private sector decision-making and the environment.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary teams.
• Data analysis and geospatial analysis skills and experience.
• Experience writing academic papers as well as producing literature targeted at a professional / non-academic audience.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with and willingness to engage in co-production with partners from across society.
• Strong working knowledge of the corporate decision making and/or biodiversity literature–preferably both.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.

Application Instructions

The application deadline is December 31, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials:

• Cover letter and research approach (2 pages). Applicants should describe experience and suitability for the project and illustrate the strengths of the applicant’s experience towards developing and implementing this research.
• Curriculum Vitae or resume, including three professional references.
• Writing sample

Contact:

Abby Mitchell, Program Manager:  Abby.Mitchell@asu.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.

 

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources.  ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf  You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.