Director of Education

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), North America’s oldest private research laboratory, seeks an innovative and ambitious academic leader to serve as its next Director of Education. Recognized as one of the great international labs for research and education in the life sciences, the MBL has drawn accomplished researchers and students across a variety of biological disciplines to Woods Hole for more than 135 years. The new Director of Education will sustain and build upon this rich history, providing strategic and administration leadership for the MBL’s well known and beloved programs, and pursue a bold strategy to expand the Laboratory’s educational offerings to amplify the MBL’s impact and reach.

The MBL’s research and education programs are renowned for their unique convening power and collaborative nature providing an innovative platform for seminal discoveries in biological research. This vibrant institution provides resident and visiting science programs and a growing portfolio of education courses from high school to advanced training levels. Research at the MBL spans subject areas including cell and developmental biology, climate and environmental science, evolutionary biology, genetics and genomics, regenerative biology, neuroscience, microbial ecology, and physiology. Intensive laboratory-based courses, variable-length immersive educational programs, visiting research programs, and informal colloquia are also distinguishing features and well-established strengths of the MBL, as are the collection and cultivation of marine and aquatic organisms. The MBL is one of six research institutions in Woods Hole including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the Woods Hole Research Center, NOAA Fisheries, Sea Education Association, and USGS.

Reporting directly to the President/Director of the MBL and serving as a member of the leadership team, the Director of Education is responsible for developing and leading the MBL’s educational programs, upholding a culture of excellence and innovation through direction setting, fiscal management, and program assessment. Concurrently, the Director of Education will have the opportunity to conceptualize and pursue new educational offerings that capitalize on the MBL’s resources and open new avenues for engagement and support. The successful candidate will be an accomplished researcher, able to quickly establish credibility with the MBL’s academic community and comfortable with complex grant management and program administration. They will also be financially astute, able to develop sustainable funding models for educational programs and familiar with federal and philanthropic funding sources. Finally, the Director of Education will be a genuine relationship builder and collaborator, able to forge connections internally and externally, lead and mentor teams, and genuinely excite and engage others over a shared love of science and discovery.

The salary range for this position will be $225,000 – $275,000, based on relevant skills and experience. The role is based in Woods Hole, MA. The MBL is open to a hybrid work arrangement.

The Marine Biological Laboratory has retained Isaacson, Miller to assist in this important recruitment. All inquiries, nominations, and applications for this opportunity should be directed in confidence below.

Dan Rodas is leading this search with Amble Ryan and Seema Khan. 

The Marine Biological Lab (MBL) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or veteran status, and does not discriminate against members of protected classes under the law.