Scientist-in-Residence Program Details

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all in-person Scientist-in-Residence opportunities have been suspended until June 2021. At that time, we will assess a timeline for resuming the program and will update this page accordingly. 

If you are a science and conservation leader who believes in making a contribution to the world and sparking curiosity in young people, the Scientist-in-Residence Program may be for you.

The Scientist-in-Residence Program connects established science and conservation leaders  with inquisitive young minds. Our students work with the Scientist-in-Residence on authentic science activities at our Living Lab facility in San Diego, California, or at a remote, coastal field station in Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California, Mexico.

Interactions between the Scientist-in-Residence and the community will help to dispel negative scientific stereotypes, create a more science-informed society, and instill a belief that discovery is possible for everyone.

The Scientist-in-Residence is a competitive program open to science and conservation leaders from all professional fields who have an interest in mentoring underserved youth.

“As I got to know the students better, I was humbled by their stories of the challenges they face, and it was inspiring to see their motivation to learn about ocean science, as well as to hear about their aspirations for the future.”
–Jasmin John, NOAA climate scientist and Ocean Discovery’s first Living Lab Scientist-in-Residence

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Program Background

Young Scientists Need Mentors

For our students, the small moments with their scientific mentors are the biggest: the conversation about college life over lunch, the impromptu sing-along during the last 10 minutes of data entry, the words of praise after a long day in the field.

Story-telling by our scientific mentors, which includes discussion of their own educational and career pathways, obstacles, as well as their own “spark”, helps to inject a sense of hope into our community – a belief that they, too, can participate in science.

By becoming a Scientist-in-Residence, you will become immersed within a community devoted to nurturing students along their pathway to college and careers. You will share these big and small moments with our students and serve to help our youth model scientific and professional behavior and understand that every pathway to a scientific career is different.

Giving Back and Making a Difference

Becoming a Scientist-in-Residence can be a transformative experience in the career of any scientist. Through participation, Scientists-in-Residence receive:

• An immersive experience for authentic, meaningful scientific contributions and discoveries that will leave a lasting impact on Ocean Discovery Institute and our students.
• A robust mentorship training from experienced Ocean Discovery Institute staff to build transferable mentorship skills and comfort.
• Meaningful time spent directly interfacing with students and the public to communicate personal and/or employer’s research interests.
• Opportunities to meet personal, funder, or employer broader impacts and outreach goals and requirements.
• Opportunities to network with other scientists in San Diego’s exceptional scientific community.

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press

Take a look at some stories highlighting the Scientist-in-Residence program:

• KPBS: “Why This NOAA Scientist Is Temporarily Calling City Heights Home”
• NOAA Ocean Heroes: “These NOAA Ocean Heroes Show That You Can Help the Ocean At Any Age”
• NOAA Fisheries: “New Lab Unlocks Opportunities for Future Scientists”

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Residency Opportunities

Ocean Discovery Institute currently hosts three Scientist-in-Residence opportunities. The three opportunities offer vastly different experiences, but with a common goal: mentoring underserved students as they engage in science activities:

1. The Living Lab Residency, throughout the year at our Living Lab facility in City Heights, San Diego
2. The Baja Residency, during the summer at our field station in Baja California, Mexico
3. The Ocean Leader Bridge Residency, a non-residential opportunity for local scientists at our Living Lab facility in City Heights, San Diego.

Living Lab Residency

Time Period: Year-round
Duration: 2 weeks to 3 months
Audience: Students of all ages
Setting: State-of-the-art science education facility in an urban neighborhood
Purpose: Mentor students across programs

The Living Lab residency takes place at Ocean Discovery Institute’s Living Lab facility in San Diego. The Living Lab residency is built upon best practices and lessons learned from years of running our Baja residency, with the addition of new opportunities made possible by the Living Lab’s thousands of annual visitors and strategic location in the heart of an urban community.
Picture a Day at the Living Lab

Living Lab Residency openings

You can check this section to see when future openings are filled by Scientists-in-Residence and which openings are still available.

2019:

• January: Filled – Catalina Martinez, NOAA
• February: Filled – Catalina Martinez, NOAA
• March: Filled – Catalina Martinez, NOAA
• April: Filled – Stan Tang, our Artist-in-Residence
• May:
• June:
• July: Filled – Dr. Sylvester James Gates, Ford Foundation Professor of Physics, Brown University
• August: Filled – Erika Santacruz Lopez, Grupo Tortuguero
• September:
• October:
• November:
• December: Filled – Dr. Sylvester James Gates, Ford Foundation Professor of Physics, Brown University

2020:

• Winter Term Residency:
  • January: 
  • February: 
  • March: Closed due to COVID-19
  • April: Closed due to COVID-19
• Summer Term Residency:
  • May: Closed due to COVID-19
  • June: Closed due to COVID-19
  • July: Closed due to COVID-19
  • August: Closed due to COVID-19
• Fall Term Residency:
  • September: Closed due to COVID-19
  • October: Closed due to COVID-19
  • November: Closed due to COVID-19
  • December: Closed due to COVID-19

baJA Residency

Time Period: June
Duration: 6-8 days
Audience: High school rising sophomores
Setting: Remote field station in a biodiversity hotspot on the Gulf of California
Purpose: Mentor students during field research methods course

The Baja residency is part of the BAHIA program , a high school study abroad experience that Ocean Discovery Institute has facilitated since 2004. The Baja residency experience has been carefully crafted over the years to create a transformative environment where students thrive on authentic research experiences with their scientific mentors. More than 100 science and conservation leaders have traveled to Baja and mentored student participants in this highly-successful program.

 

Baja Residency openings

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the 2020 BAHIA Program and Baja Residency have been cancelled.

• Shift 1: June 11-13 (San Diego) and June 16-19 (Baja)
  • Support with student prep in San Diego prior to the trip.
  • Travel to Baja on June 16. Return to San Diego on June 19.
• Shift 2: June 19-24
  • Travel to Baja on June 19. Return to San Diego on June 24.
• Shift 3: June 24-27 and July 1
  • Travel to Baja on June 24. Return to San Diego on June 27.
  • Join the final program day in San Diego on July 1.

Ocean Leader Bridge Residency

Time Period: Late July – Early August
Duration: 3 consecutive mornings
Audience: High school rising freshmen
Setting: Ocean Discovery’s Living Lab and coastal San Diego field sites
Purpose: Mentor students during introductory science and leadership course

The Bridge Residency is part of the Ocean Leader Bridge Program , the entry program for new Ocean Leaders to build science and leadership skills early on their pathway to becoming future leaders in science and conservation.  For many new Ocean Leaders, this is their first opportunity to receive a robust mentorship experience from scientists. Note this is a non-residential opportunity; however, a scientist already committed to the Living Lab Residency and living on-site may participate in this opportunity.

Ocean leader bridge Residency openings

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the 2020 Ocean Leader Bridge Residency has been postponed.

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Expectations

LIVING LAB RESIDENCY

Mentor students across all Ocean Discovery Institute initiatives through integration into existing programs. The following represents your baseline involvement in programs, with opportunities to go more in-depth depending on your interests and the time of year:

• Weekday mornings:
  • give career presentations to visiting school classes
• Weekday afternoons:
  • provide STEM homework and academic support
  • integrate into existing after-school science programs

Deliver  presentations to students, staff, and our community about your career and the pathway you took to get there.

Join in informal gatherings and conversations with students, such as over meals or while working on projects, that—collectively—build trust and relationships between scientists and students and ultimately build a sense of belief that a career in science is possible.

Connect your network of science professional colleagues to the organization to facilitate more science mentorship for our students.

Duration:
To maximize mentoring relationships, the preferred residency length is 6-12 weeks. Candidates may propose a shorter term if circumstances necessitate a shorter stay.

Workday:
The Scientist-in-Residence is expected to be “on the clock” and available to interface with students or work on projects while the Living Lab is open:

• Monday, 8am-4pm
• Tuesday-Thursday, 8am-7pm
• Friday, 8am-4pm,

Scientists-in-Residence are encouraged to pursue a roughly 50/50 balance of time engaged in Ocean Discovery responsibilities and maintaining critical elements of their “day jobs”.

Policies:
The Scientist-in-Residence must adhere to all Ocean Discovery Institute policies and procedures. During “off-the-clock” time spent interacting in the community and on days off, the Scientist-in-Residence must act as a professional and respectful ambassador of Ocean Discovery Institute.

Accommodations:
In order to become fully immersed in the community, Scientists-in-Residence are expected to live in the Living Lab studio during their terms; however, alternate arrangements can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Families may come to San Diego, but the Living Lab studio can only house 2 adults (and potentially a small child depending on the parents’ comfort). No pets are permitted in the Living Lab studio. Families can participate in activities and programs with the Scientist-in-Residence that are open to the general public.

 Baja RESIDENCY

Mentor 10th grade Leaders Initiative students during the BAHIA summer study abroad program. While in Baja, daily mentorship with your team of students looks like:

• Morning activities to discover field methods in the field or learn about research in the classroom.
• Evening presentations and informal discussions about your science and your personal journey.
• Optional afternoon recreational activities with students such as snorkeling and paddle boarding.

Deliver a presentation to students and staff about your career and the pathway you took to get there.

Join in informal gatherings and conversations with students, such as over meals or while working on projects, that—collectively—build trust and relationships between scientists and students and ultimately build a sense of belief that a career in science is possible.

Connect your network of science professional colleagues to the organization to facilitate more science mentorship for our students.

Duration:
See the shift schedule in the “Residency Openings” section above for details.

Workday:
The Scientist-in-Residence is expected to be engaged with student research groups each morning from 7am-12:30pm, as well as to participate in 30 minutes each evening at the Science and Conservation Leader Exchange.

Policies:
The Scientist-in-Residence must adhere to all Ocean Discovery Institute policies and procedures. During any “off-the-clock” time spent interacting in the community, the Scientist-in-Residence must act as a professional and respectful ambassador of Ocean Discovery Institute.

Accommodations:
In order to become fully immersed in the community, Scientists-in-Residence are expected to live in the Casa Caguama field station during their terms; however, alternate arrangements can be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Families may come to Baja, but cannot be housed in the field station. Families can participate in activities and programs with the Scientist-in-Residence that are open to the community, including meals, structured free time, guest lectures, and evening activities.

Ocean Leader Bridge Residency

Mentor 9th grade (and, in 2020, 10th and 11th grade) incoming Leaders Initiative students during the introductory Ocean Leader Bridge Program. During the program, daily mentorship with your team of students looks like:

• Support and participation in hands-on lab and classroom activities at the Living Lab.
• Support and participation in field trips to coastal field sites throughout San Diego.
• Informal discussions about your science and your personal journey.

Deliver a presentation to students and staff about your career and the pathway you took to get there.

Join in informal gatherings and conversations with students, such as over meals or while working on projects, that—collectively—build trust and relationships between scientists and students and ultimately build a sense of belief that a career in science is possible.

Connect your network of science professional colleagues to the organization to facilitate more science mentorship for our students.

Duration:
See the shift schedule in the “Residency Openings” section above for details.

Workday:
The Scientist-in-Residence is expected to be engaged with students from approximately 9am – 1pm during each day of your shift.

Policies:
The Scientist-in-Residence must adhere to all Ocean Discovery Institute policies and procedures.

Accommodations:
This is a non-residential opportunity; however, we still welcome out-of-town scientist and are happy to discuss accommodation options with you.

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Candidate Qualifications

Our definition of “scientist” is intentionally flexible and meant to include any professional who is a science and conservation leader from all science and environmental fields. Potential candidates are professionals who:

Professional Experience

• Are currently employed (with the exception of retirees) in either a STEM field conducting science research; or, may not actively conduct research, but have a science background and work for a STEM employer; or, work in a STEM position with a non-STEM employer.
  • Examples could include:
    • A university professor;
    • A NOAA or other government scientist;
    • A scientist employed in industry;
    • A non-research based position in a STEM agency or industry but with a science background; or
    • An employee of a non-STEM agency or industry whose position is STEM-focused (such as a governmental or corporate employee who specializes in scientific topics).
  • Are interested in and qualified to complete a unique project that fulfills an Ocean Discovery Institute need.
  • Have a strong interest in mentoring students and comfort with informal interactions with diverse groups of people.
  • Are at least 25 years old and have a minimum of 5 years of post-undergraduate experience, either in graduate school or employment in a scientific field.

Personal Qualities

• Have an interest and ability to communicate science with the general public.
• Are comfortable with living in a community.
• Have an interest and ability to integrate into Ocean Discovery’s organizational culture, which prioritizes:
  • An unshakable belief in young peoples’ ability to transform their lives;
  • Learning, diversity, stewardship, leadership, and passion as the values that shape our actions;
  • Our roots in the community which we serve;
  • Innovation at the forefront of our work, which is driven by both data and instinct;
  • Servant leadership, defined as leadership through serving others and enriching others’ lives; and
  • Fun
• Either represent the diversity or background of the City Heights community, or can relate to the challenges that our community faces.
• Can generate the “spark” that creates an interest in science in young people, either via their research interests or personality.

Other Requirements

• Can pass a fingerprint and background check and a TB test.
• Can travel internationally (Baja Scientists)
• Can receive a doctor’s approval for travel to Baja California, Mexico (Baja Scientists).
• Can work in remote outdoor locations and tolerate extreme heat (Baja Scientists).

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Funding and Accommodations

Ocean Discovery does not provide funds to support the Scientist-in-Residence’s salary. A candidate must have salary funding from his/her employer or through secured grants.

• Ocean Discovery Institute will provide the following at no cost to the Scientist-in-Residence:
  • Housing and utilities in the fully-equipped Living Lab studio apartment or Baja field station
  • Meals (Baja residency)
  • Access to an Ocean Discovery vehicle (Living Lab residency)
  • Basic laboratory equipment (all residencies)
  • Basic field supplies (all residencies)
  • General office supplies (all residencies)
  • General educational supplies (all residencies)
• The Scientist-in-Residence is responsible for the following expenses:
  • Travel to and from San Diego (all residencies)
  • Meals (Living Lab residency)
  • Pre-residency expenses such as TB tests and LiveScan background checks (all residencies)
  • International visa for Mexico, obtained while crossing border (Baja residencies)

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Alumni

Click here to read about previous scientists who have joined Ocean Discovery on a Living Lab residency.

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FAQs

 

 

LIVING LAB RESIDENCY faqs

How long would I be there?

The preferred residency length is 2-3 months. This allows our scientists to become familiar and knowledgeable about Ocean Discovery, build relationships with staff, students, and partners, and to have robust and meaningful impacts through mentorship and completing a Residency Project. It is more challenging to meet all the Scientist-in-Residence goals during a shorter residency.

On a case-by-case basis, a shorter residency may be possible depending on candidates and our timeline.

Am I qualified?

If you conduct research, work for a STEM employer, or work in a STEM field, are passionate about mentoring students, and either represent the diversity of City Heights or can relate to our community’s challenges, then you probably are. More detailed qualifications can be found in our “Candidate Qualifications” section. If you are still interested but not sure if you qualify, you are welcome to contact Joel Barkan at jbarkan@oceandi.org to discuss further.

Do I need to have education/teaching experience?

No prior education experience is required, but comfort and willingness to interact with diverse groups of young people is, as Scientists-in-Residence interact with our students on nearly a daily basis. Ocean Discovery also provides a mentorship training to all Residents at the beginning of their stay.

What if I live in San Diego?

San Diego-based scientists are welcome to apply. A part of the commitment does involve staying in the Living Lab’s studio apartment, even if the scientist is local. San Diego-based scientists who prefer not to leave their homes can still be involved in other capacities.

What kind of project could I do?

The most successful projects are those that leverage the scientist’s expertise, fulfill a personal or professional goal of the scientist, contribute to an organizational need as identified by Ocean Discovery, and will leave a lasting impact on the organization and our students beyond the term of the residency.

Click here to read about past Scientists-in-Residence and learn about projects they conducted during their residencies.

Can I bring my pet?

Sorry, no pets (with the exception of service animals) are permitted inside the facility.

Can I bring my family?

The Living Lab’s studio apartment can accommodate two adults and potentially one small child. Family members could have the same access as the general public to the Living Lab and Ocean Discovery programs, which means they could volunteer during certain programs but would have restricted access when not volunteering.

If you wish to bring your family to San Diego during a residency, you are also welcome to arrange off-site lodging for them.

Scientists who are partners may also apply for Scientists-in-Residence positions together and undertake a residency together if they would be working on the same project.

What if I am retired?

We welcome anyone who is retired and meets our basic qualifications to apply for a residency.

Baja RESIDENCY faqs

How long is the drive to Bahía de los Ángeles?

It takes approximately 10-11 hours to drive to Bahía de los Ángeles from San Diego. Trips depart early in the morning from the Living Lab and arrive in Bahía at around dinner time.

How will I get there?

You will travel in an Ocean Discovery vehicle, driven by experienced Ocean Discovery staff.

Do I need a visa?

All visitors to Mexico are required to obtain a visa while crossing the border. Ocean Discovery staff can provide guidance during this process.

Is it safe?

Ocean Discovery employs extensive safety procedures during travel and has 15+ years of experience in running a safe international program. We are happy to elaborate on the safety and security measurs we use.

What should I bring?

Ocean Discovery will provide a thorough packing list prior to the trip.

What are the accommodations like?

Lodging is at the Casa Caguama field station with other visiting scientists, Ocean Discovery staff, and students. We provide three hearty meals per day and snacks. It’s a waterfront field station and all guests sleep on cots under the stars and next to the bay. The station has electricity, running water, and internet, although all of these resources are extremely limited and must be conserved by all.

What is the climate like in Baja?

Bahía is extremely hot in June, with daytime temperatures in the high 90s and nighttime temperatures in the low 80s. All participants practice proper sun precautions at all times in order to avoid sun and heat-related illness.

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Application Process

The following represents the typical timeline for a single residency:

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The application process for the Scientist-in-Residence position is competitive. A limited number of residencies are available each year and applications will be closed once all open residencies are filled.

Preference is given to candidates who help the Scientist-in-Residence program achieve a holistic diversity of gender, ethnicity, and different science, conservation, and environmental fields.

Click Here To Begin Your Scientist-in-Residence Application

If you have questions or would like additional information about the Scientist-in-Residence program, please contact Joel Barkan at JBarkan@oceandi.org.