Join the Coastal Lab

In the Coastal Climate Resilience Lab, we believe that urgent climate solutions can only arise from a paradigm shift in research toward heightened diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Students and postdocs from systemically marginalized groups are encouraged to apply, including first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, students with a disability, members of a racial or ethnic minority group, LGBTQ+ students, and women. Dr. Carlson identifies as a queer woman and requires all lab members to champion and support diverse members of the lab and Berkeley community.

The Coastal Lab conducts impact- and policy-oriented science in which academic research is coordinated with communities and non-academic collaborators. We are committed to dismantling parachute science and investing in long-term, applied, partnership-based research. Students and Postdocs interested in co-producing research with government agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, and other partners will thrive in this lab.

Information for prospective students and postdocs is detailed below. Please review this information prior to meeting with me. Information for research opportunities for undergraduate students is forthcoming.

Graduate students

Please refer to the resources at right on navigating the graduate school application process. I accept PhD and Master’s students through the ESPM graduate program at Berkeley. During the Fall 2025 admissions cycle, I am particularly interested in recruiting students who can develop independent research along the following themes:

  1. Coastal microclimates and refugia under climate change.

  2. Freshwater impacts on marine organisms under climate change and policy implications.

  3. Ecosystem connectivity (land-sea connectivity, coral larval connectivity) in siting and planning coastal conservation/restoration.

  4. Coastal social-ecological systems research; human perception and valuation of coastal resources; equitable management of coastlines.​

We work in tropical reefs and nearshore temperate ecosystems. Focal regions include West Hawaiʻi, the California Current System, and Moʻorea (French Polynesia). Students with deep connections to (e.g., partnerships with local groups in) other regions may propose projects there.

Funding: PhD students are guaranteed five years of funding at Cal; however, this funding comes from a combination of TAing, research funds, and fellowships. While I work to maintain research funds for projects that match your skills and interests, students also derive funding from TAing or fellowships. I encourage prospective PhD students to apply for fellowships, including examples at right. Applying for a fellowship can also help you refine research ideas. If you are not eligible for funding opportunities listed at right, please let me know and I can help brainstorm ideas.

If you are interested in joining my lab as a student, please send me (rrcarlson@berkeley.edu) your CV and a one-page summary of your background and interests including:

  • (1 paragraph) Summary of relevant career experience, including why you want to go to grad school.

  • A few sentences about what is most exciting to you about this lab.

  • (1-2 paragraphs) Mock proposal of a research idea you would like to work on in my lab. This mock proposal is not a commitment to a project, but rather a way to give me a sense of your interests and the way you visualize your research.

  • A few sentences about things you hope to learn as a PhD student (specific skills, experiences, professional development opportunities, etc.)

  • Anything else you’d like me to know about you.

The Coastal Climate Resilience Lab will be accepting graduate students in the Fall 2025 admissions cycle.

Whether, where, and how to apply for graduate school

Demystifying the Graduate School Application Process

Video series: Choosing a grad program, contacting advisors, and other useful advice (credit: UW Graduate Students)

Funding for Graduate Students


Funding for current PhD students (non-exhaustive)

Prospective students can find instructions on how to apply through the ESPM Graduate Admissions website, with application due in ​December 2025.

Postdocs

Now Hiring: Postdoc Scholar in Marine ecology

Apply by Oct. 15

https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05114

The position involves applying multi- and hyperspectral satellite data to study the impacts of extreme rainfall events on river plumes and coastal phytoplankton communities along the U.S. West Coast, with applications in coastal monitoring and restoration. The postdoc will also lead time series analysis to identify extreme hydrological events and attribute ecological responses to these events.

Duration: 2 years (full-time)
Location: UC Berkeley, California - in person preferred

Additional funding opportunities

There are many fellowships to support postdocs in independent projects and I am always happy to brainstorm ideas for proposals. In particular, I am eager to invite interdisciplinary thinkers with an interest in applied coastal ecology, coastal microclimates under climate change, geospatial science, land-sea connectivity, social-ecological systems, and equitable coastal management. This lab's current focal regions are West Hawaiʻi, Moʻorea (French Polynesia), and the California Current System, i.e., places where the PI has existing partnerships, but postdocs who have long-term collaborators in other regions are also welcome to propose projects.

If you are interested in pursuing an independent fellowship for a postdoc in my lab, please investigate options at below and contact me at rrcarlson@berkeley.edu.