Postdoctoral Researcher Opportunity: Marine Robotics and Autonomy

Scripps Institution Of Oceanography

Scripps Institution Of Oceanography

Contractor
San Diego, CA, USA
USD 66k-82k / year
Posted on Oct 27, 2025

Application Window

• Open date: August 15, 2025 • Most recent review date: September 15, 2025 Applications received after this date will be reviewed if the position has not yet been filled. • Final date: November 1, 2025 Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position Description

The Marine Physical Laboratory (MPL) within the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position with the Coastal Observing Research and Development Center (CORDC). The successful candidate will develop and test real-time autonomy algorithms for coordinated sampling of upper ocean processes using radar, Wave Gliders, and underwater vehicles. The work will focus on integrating remote sensing and vehicle data in ROS-based systems to enable adaptive tracking and sampling of surface and subsurface features.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application): • Ph.D. in robotics, engineering, or a related field with environmental applications • Experience with Robot Operating System (ROS, C++ or Python) • Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and in field settings Preferred: • Background in oceanographic processes or sensors • Familiarity with Guidance-Navigation-Control (GNC) or adaptive sampling methods

To Apply

Please email Sophia Merrifield (smerrifield@ucsd.edu) with a CV including a list of any publications, a personal statement of the candidate’s experience and career goals, and the names and email contact information for three references.

Appointment Length and Salary Range

Initial appointment is for two years, with extension possible contingent upon candidate eligibility, performance, and eligibility of funding. Desired start date is in fall 2025, or by mutual agreement.A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $66,737– $82,036 annual. See the following table for the salary scale for this position: Salary Scale Link

About UC San Diego

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 status under state or federal law. 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. The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties. The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: Annual Security & Fire Safety Report. This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report. 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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. Click for more information on Assembly Bill-810 Click for more information on Senate Bill-791 • “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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. • UCSexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: Link • UCAnti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: Link • APM- 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment: Link

Scripps Institution Of Oceanography is an equal opportunity employer.

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