The six full-time JEL faculty hold appointments in the Departments of Earth Sciences, Natural Resources, Plant Biology, and Zoology. The research being conducted by resident faculty is directed at basic and applied scientific questions, many of which are critical to the State and region. JEL faculty also teach courses at UNH. The Laboratory features well-equipped Facilities for conducting research in aquaculture, seafloor ecology, botany, geology, microbiology, and water quality.

Sources of support for research at JEL include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NH Coastal Program, NH Sea Grant, Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology, Coastal Ocean Program, National Estuarine Research Reserve Program, National Marine Fisheries Service), US Environmental Protection Agency, NH Dept. of Environmental Services, NH Fish and Game Dept., NH Dept. of Transportation (Port Authority), US Navy, US Geological Survey, US Dept. of Agriculture, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Internal UNH sources of funding, which include the Hubbard Foundation, Center for Marine Biology, Center for International Education, and the Office of Sustainability Programs, also support research at the Laboratory. In a typical year, there are about 25 projects being carried out by the scientists at JEL. Total external funding for these projects usually exceeds $2 million.