POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Postdoctoral Fellow in “Shellfish aquaculture under extreme climatic events”

DURATION: Full time. 18 months, w/possibilities of extension up to 36-months (i.e. through competitive Postdoc ANID Postdoctoral grants).

DESCRIPTION: A postdoctoral position is available at the Coastal Socio-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS), a multidisciplinary team of scientists from different Chilean universities focused on the sustainability of coastal social-ecological systems. SECOS aims to understand global, regional, and local drivers of change; identify the social-ecological conditions that hinder sustainability; and design and implement actions to overcome these conditions. Our research is organized around small- and medium-scale social-ecological experimental units (“learning platforms”), addressing key challenges in artisanal fisheries, shellfish aquaculture, and coastal development.

This position is part of the Institute’s fourth call for postdoctoral researchers, marking the beginning of SECOS’s second five-year period, following five successful years of scientific research, capacity building, and societal engagement. In this new phase, we seek a postdoctoral fellow to collaborate within the Shellfish Aquaculture SES, particularly its learning platform, focusing on multiple environmental and socio-economic stressors (e.g., ocean warming, ocean acidification, deoxygenation, pollution, market dynamics) and adaptive capacity.

We are specifically looking for candidates who:
(a) demonstrate proven research experience and a strong publication record, and
(b) are willing to focus their research exclusively on one of the four main research priorities of the Shellfish Aquaculture SES for the upcoming five-year period.

Importantly, the selected candidate is expected to apply to the Chilean national ANID Postdoctoral Fellowship program. Therefore, a strong and competitive publication record is essential, and only researchers who obtained their doctoral degree between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2026, are eligible to apply for this postdoctoral position.

Post-doctoral research could be directed towards one of the following areas:

• 1. Extreme Events, Pollution, and Coastal Resilience. Assess the impacts of extreme climatic events (e.g., marine heatwaves, atmospheric rivers, coastal acidification) and pollution (e.g., trace metals, microplastics) on coastal ecosystems and aquaculture. Combine long-term monitoring, experimental approaches, and socio-ecological analysis to design resilience strategies.
  2. Multi-stressor Impacts and Biological Responses in Shellfish Aquaculture. Investigate organismal and population-level responses of shellfish to interacting environmental stressors (e.g., warming, acidification, deoxygenation, pollution). Integrate physiology, genetics, and experimental biology to inform adaptive strategies and sustainable production.
  3. Social-Ecological Adaptation, Innovation, and Smallholder Aquaculture Systems. Examine socio-cultural drivers, governance, and innovation processes shaping smallholder aquaculture. Co-produce knowledge with stakeholders to enhance adaptive capacity upon extreme climatic events, policy development, and system resilience.
  4. Climate Variability, Connectivity, and Predictive Modeling for Aquaculture Systems. Develop data-driven models linking oceanographic variability, connectivity, and propagule supply with aquaculture performance. Integrate high-frequency monitoring, remote sensing, and species distribution models to support forecasting and decision-making.

WORKPLACE. It is expected that the selected candidate will work closely with at least two principal investigators at the institute, and will therefore be based at one of the SECOS-associated institutions:

• Universidad Católica del Norte (La Serena/Coquimbo)
• Universidad de Concepción or Universidad del Desarrollo (Concepción)
• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile or Universidad Santo Tomás (Santiago)
• Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (Viña del Mar)

Intensive fieldwork is expected across northern, central, and southern Chile (e.g., Caldera/Tongoy, Arauco Gulf, Chiloe Inner Sea).

BACKGROUND. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. and have a strong background in disciplines relevant to the research areas described above (e.g., oceanography, marine biology, animal physiology, evolutionary biology, ecology, ecotoxicology, or related fields).

The selected candidate is expected to work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of scientists and actively engage with shellfish farmers and other stakeholders.

 TO APPLY. Applicants should submit the following documents (electronic submission preferred):

• Curriculum Vitae
• Copies of degree certificates
• Statement of previous research achievements
• Full publication list (including links)
• Research plan (maximum ½ page)
• Contact details for two referees

Applications should be sent to: postulaciones@socioecologiacostera.cl, E-mail subject: SECOS Postdoc Application– CANDIDATE LAST NAME.

Deadline: May 15th, 2026.

DATES: Preferred start date is at the middle or later in July 1st, 2026.

SALARY:  The position offers an annual salary of approximately US$ 28,100 (around CLP $ 2.100.00 per month).

Applications should be submitted to:

Pablo Fuentes
Director Ejecutivo
Instituto Milenio de Socio-Ecología Costera (SECOS)
📧 postulaciones@socioecologiacostera.cl

For specific inquiries related exclusively to the scientific plan or research topics, please contact:
Dr. Cristian A. Vargas
Coordinator, Shellfish Aquaculture SES
Coastal Socio-Ecological Millennium Institute (SECOS)
📧 crvargas@udec.cl