Jobs at UMass Dartmouth

POSITION ADVERTISEMENT

Assistant/Associate Professor of Marine Biogeochemistry or Fisheries (Tenure-Track)

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the Department of Fisheries Oceanography (DFO) or the Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences (DEOS) at the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), beginning September 2027.

SMAST is an internationally recognized center for interdisciplinary marine science and technology, addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our oceans, including climate change, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, coastal resilience, marine renewable energy, and ecosystem health. Our faculty develop innovative observations, technologies, and models to understand a rapidly changing ocean and translate that knowledge into solutions that benefit marine ecosystems, fisheries, communities, and industry.

SMAST provides faculty with the opportunity to build independent research programs within a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary graduate school. We seek creative and innovative scholars with a strong record of research achievement commensurate with career stage and a commitment to teaching, mentoring, collaboration, and external engagement.

Candidates are sought for either of the following areas:

• Marine Biogeochemistry.

We seek a marine biogeochemist whose research addresses emerging challenges and opportunities relative to understanding, observing, and modeling open ocean and coastal systems. Areas of interest include nutrient and carbon cycling, stable isotope and tracer geochemistry, carbon sequestration and ocean alkalinity enhancement, ocean acidification, deoxygenation, greenhouse gas dynamics, and ecosystem resilience as well as marine pollution, including the fate and transformation of nitrogen, plastics and/or other contaminants in coastal environments. We welcome candidates whose research advances these areas through field observations, laboratory and experimental approaches, numerical modeling, data-driven and machine learning methods, or emerging observing technologies such as autonomous and sensor-based platforms.

• Marine Fisheries

We seek a scientist with research interests in marine policy, governance, ecosystems, ocean modeling and AI, and fisheries technology, with a geographic focus on, but not limited to, the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary research, advanced technology and quantitative analysis to better understand and predict the impact of a rapidly changing ocean and human activity on marine fisheries and seafood supply and translating that knowledge into sustainable management and adaptative strategies.

 An exceptional setting for marine research.

SMAST is located on the shore of Clark’s Cove in New Bedford, Massachusetts – the nation’s leading fishing port by value – and provides nearly 100,000 square feet of marine research and educational facilities. Resources include a marine research pier with extensive observing capabilities, more than 8,000 square feet of seawater laboratories, a 90,000-gallon acoustic-optic test tank, a marine biodegradability laboratory, and state-of-the-art conference and collaboration facilities. SMAST’s location provides direct access to coastal and offshore research environments and proximity to Boston, Providence, and Cape Cod.

SMAST brings together more than 150 faculty, students, and staff working across marine science, technology, fisheries, policy, and resource management. Our faculty collaborates extensively with the fishing industry, government agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions, including the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. These partnerships provide exceptional opportunities for applied research, external funding, student training, and regional and national impact.

UMass Dartmouth is a national research university serving more than 7,500 undergraduate and graduate students through nearly 60 undergraduate and 50 graduate programs. As the only Massachusetts national research university south of Boston, UMass Dartmouth is a catalyst for innovation and economic development across the South Coast and a growing center for marine science and technology.

SMAST faculty are expected to develop independent, externally funded research programs; teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; supervise graduate students and postdoctoral researchers; and contribute to their department, school, university, and discipline. Candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant field and demonstrate a strong record of scholarly achievement and a commitment to teaching, mentoring, and collaborative research.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Candidates must hold at the time of appointment an earned Ph.D. in Marine Science, Oceanography, or a closely related field.

Experience: Candidates must have a record of teaching at the graduate (or undergraduate) level and research accomplishments through publication in peer-reviewed journals and leading or participation in externally funded research projects commensurate with years since PhD. Prior experience working with academic, government, and/or industry partners is also desirable. The level of appointment (Assistant or Associate Professor) will be determined at the time of hire based on the candidate's teaching experience as well as research accomplishments as compared with the tenure and promotion criteria in Scholarship and Professional Activities for SMAST.

Other: Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to excellence in teaching, mentorship, and scholarly accomplishments, as well as a capability to build a strong research program with extramural support.

Preferred Qualifications:

A track record of successful grant proposal submission and funding as a principal investigator. A track record of graduate course development and student mentorship. Strong written and oral communication skills as demonstrated by a record of publications and presentations. A demonstrated ability to be a productive member of a research collaboration.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Background and experience in a marine-related research area of strategic interest to SMAST.

Application Process:

Application packages should be submitted online and include the following documents: 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) a concise (1-2 page) statement on research plans; 3) a concise (1-2 page) statement on teaching philosophy and plans; and 4) a cover letter (5) the names and contact information for three referees who can be contacted for letters. Review of complete applications will begin November 09, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Employment is contingent upon verification of background/credentials and work authorization.

Statement on diversity: SMAST deeply appreciates the value of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and defines diversity broadly to include (among other things) diversity of genders, races and ethnicities, cultures, physical and learning differences, sexual orientations and identities, veteran status, and work and life experiences. UMass Dartmouth is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. To read about SMAST’s code of conduct and diversity statement, please see https://www.umassd.edu/media/umassdartmouth/smast/lab-pdf-files/SMAST-Code-of-Conduct-and-Diversity-Statement.pdf. To learn more about UMass Dartmouth’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see https://www.umassd.edu/diversity/.

SALARY: 

• Assistant Professor: $85,000.00–$105,000.00
• Associate Professor: $105,000.00–$125,000.00

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• And More!

Benefits for Faculty Federation 

For further information about benefits for university faculty and Human Resources information and policies, please see https://www.umassd.edu/hr/