Research Associate Jobs in Brandon, FL (NOW HIRING)

The Optical Oceanography Lab (OOL, https://optics.marine.usf.edu ) at the College of Marine Science (CMS), University of South Florida (USF) is offering 1-2 Postdoctoral Scholar positions in the field of optical remote sensing from satellite platforms. 

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.  

Minimum Qualifications:

A PhD degree in optical oceanography, remote sensing, aquatic science, or closely relate field, is required. Also required is willingness to work with interdisciplinary research teams and motivation to advance science through both independent activities and collaborative research. 

Preferred Qualifications:

We are seeking candidates who have demonstrated excellence in scholarly creativity and productivity, with potential foci including ocean color research and applications, for example, algorithm development, radiative transfer simulations, bio-optical inversion, atmospheric correction, or algal bloom and water quality assessments for optically complex waters. Relevant coding experience (e.g., Python) is preferred, as is prior work applying high-level analytical approaches (e.g., machine learning, Bayesian statistics) to satellite remote sensing datasets.

The primary duties and obligations of the appointments are to support Federal- and State-funded research projects involving optical remote sensing of aquatic environments. The successful candidates will be expected to advance the current state-of-the-art in algorithm and product development for water quality parameters and benthic properties in optically complex and/or optically shallow waters, assessment of algal blooms, and quantification of biogeochemical properties in coastal and inland waters.

The positions are available immediately, for a possible duration of 3 years, contingent upon satisfactory performance. Salary is commensurable with experience.

Contact:

For information regarding the available positions, please contact Dr. Brian Barnes (bbarnes4@usf.edu) or Dr. Chuanmin Hu (huc@usf.edu).

Application procedure:

To apply please submit your application, curriculum vitae, and requested documents through the USF Careers recruitment system. 

Please submit the following requested documents with your application: 

1. A cover letter highlighting your motivation for applying to this position and your career goal (one page maximum). 
2. A research statement that describes the focus and impact of your current and planned future research (two page maximum). 
3. Curriculum vitae. 

4. Contact information for three referees. 

These positions will be open until filled. However, priority review of applications will begin by August 1, 2026. 

The University of South Florida's College of Marine Science is a multidisciplinary college with 32 ranked core faculty covering biological, chemical, geological, physical oceanography, hydrography, and marine resource assessment, ~ 100 graduate students, $15 million in annual research expenditures, a total endowment of ~$31 million, and ~75 full-time support personnel. The CMS hosts a range of state-of-the-art instrumentation and facilities and is strategically located on USF's waterfront campus in St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg is home to many State and Federal research and operational agencies including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Institute of Oceanography, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, USGS Coastal and Marine Science Center, and the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation. Together, these comprise one of the largest marine-science research complexes in the US. The Maritime and Defense Technology Hub ("The Hub") is part of the St. Pete Innovation District promoting interactions with private industry particularly in the marine technology domain. Additional information is available at http://www.usf.edu/marine-science  and http://www.usf.edu.

The University of South Florida is a high-impact, global research university located adjacent to beautiful Tampa Bay on Florida's spectacular west coast. As a member of the Association of American Univeristies, USF is one of the largest public universities in the nation and is ranked 28th among the top public universities for total research expenditures by the National Science Foundation. The university is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity category, a distinction attained by only 2.5 percent of all universities. At the heart of USF is a vibrant, diverse, and engaged student body. More than 50,000 students are enrolled in the USF System, which includes three distinct campuses -USF St. Petersburg, USF Tampa, and USF Sarasota-Manatee - with an annual budget of $1.8 billion and an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. 

USF is an equal opportunity, equal access academic institution that embraces diversity in the workplace. All job decisions at USF are made without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. According to Florida law, applications, and meetings regarding them, are open to the public.