Postdoctoral Fellow – Marine Biomedical Research, Mote Marine Laboratory
Mote Marine Laboratory is seeking candidates for a Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Marine Biomedical Research. The Marine Biomedical Research Program has historically focused on basic and applied research using elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and stingrays) as laboratory animal models directed primarily at characterizing elasmobranch immune cell-derived proteins and venoms from stingray spines, as well as development of novel cell lines. Over the next several years, Mote will be undertaking a significant cross-cutting evolution of several existing research programs, including Marine Biomedical, Immunology, Molecular Microbiology, and Ecotoxicology, along with establishing a new Medicinal Chemistry Research Program to launch a new Derived Products from the Sea Initiative with the goal of identifying untapped sources of unique and novel marine natural products contributing to human health and other sciences as well as creating licensable intellectual property. We envision the successful candidate for the Marine Biomedical Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellowship position will be instrumental in growing this broader initiative. It is strongly recommended that applicants have a background in combinations of immunology, biochemistry, elasmobranch/marine organismal biology/physiology, and/or cell culture techniques.
Mote Background: In 2025, Mote will be celebrating 70 years as one of the few remaining independent, non-profit international marine research laboratories. Mote’s ocean and coastal research enterprise has 35 research units, an array of STEM education/outreach efforts, and an aquarium featuring teaching and working laboratories with more than 100 marine species. Mote currently has more than 40 PhD-level scientists, over 300 staff, and approximately 1500 volunteers that are located on its main campus in Sarasota and across eight additional campuses/facilities including a state-of-the-art 200 acre marine and freshwater aquaculture research park, a 19,000 square foot International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in the Florida Keys and work is nearing completion for a new 145,000 square foot Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA). The Mote scientific expertise is considerable and diverse, and is augmented by more than 150 non-resident scientists from more than 100 different U.S. and international institutions who are involved in projects with Mote all around the world.
Fellowship Program: Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are three-year positions providing 100% salary support, funding assistance for equipment/supplies and travel, and office and laboratory space. The Fellowship includes mentorship from a diversity of cross-discipline Mote scientists and administrative assistance for grant proposals, contract compliance, and reporting. Exemplary Fellows have been invited to join Mote as a Staff Scientist upon completion of their initial three-year appointment.
Mote envisions significant growth in Marine Biomedical Research as part of the evolution of its current Sarasota campus into an International Marine Science, Technology and Innovation Park, continued expansion of the Mote Aquaculture Research Park, and satellite campuses. The position also affords the opportunity for hosting visiting scientists, interactions with scientists from multiple disciplines at Mote, and oversight of student interns and volunteers. Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellows are selected based on their ability to not only strengthen and diversify the Laboratory’s significant existing research expertise, but also the potential to establish their own innovative research initiatives that address Mote’s Beyond 2020 Vision & Strategic Plan.
Application: Recent (2022 and more recent) PhD graduates are invited to apply. Applicants with a firm expectation of graduation in 2025 will be considered. This full-time position includes an expected initial annual salary of approximately $65,000 (negotiable depending on experience), health insurance with family options, and other generous benefits including an opt-in retirement plan with employer matching, leaves for holidays, illness, and vacation, and other benefits.
To apply, please submit:
- Cover letter addressed to Kevin Claridge, Vice President of Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy, of interest including present employment status
- Academic transcript of doctoral studies
- Copy of PhD if achieved or expected graduation date
- Curriculum vitae
- Two-page essay, excluding references and exhibits, describing intended research focus as a Mote Postdoctoral Research Fellow and proposed mentors internal and external to Mote
- Three representative journal publications, in press or published
- Names and contact information for three references
- Posted: February 17, 2025
- Job Type: Post-doc
- Application deadline: 05/18/2025
- Organization: Mote Marine Laboratory
- How to apply: To Apply: Interested applicants should apply on line by choosing “2025 Postdoctoral Fellow – Marine Biomedical Research” at https://mote.smapply.org/prog/job_applicants or mail a single package including cover letter, resume or c.v. and the contact information for three references to Mote Marine Laboratory, Attn: Human Resources, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236
- Location: Sarasota, FL
- Web address: https://mote.org/about/employment-opportunities/
Contact Information
Kevin Claridge
Mote Marine Laboratory
hr@mote.org