Ocean Data Assimilation Postdoctoral Scholar

University of California - Santa Cruz; Windsor; On-site; USD 66,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in ocean sciences is seeking a dedicated Ocean Data Assimilation Postdoctoral Scholar. This exciting role involves joining a leading research group focused on developing advanced ocean modeling systems. The successful candidate will engage in groundbreaking research, collaborating with top-tier institutions to enhance ocean prediction capabilities along the U.S. east coast. This position offers the opportunity to work with innovative technologies and methodologies in a supportive and dynamic environment, fostering professional growth and impactful contributions to the field. If you are passionate about ocean sciences and ready to make a significant difference, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• PhD required in physical oceanography, applied mathematics, or related field.
• Experience with ocean data assimilation and modeling is essential.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research on ocean data assimilation and forecasting.
• Collaborate with researchers from multiple universities on NOAA project.

Skills

ROMS

FORTRAN

Matlab

Python

Ocean data assimilation

Parallel computing

High-performance computing

4D-Var

NetCDF

Education

PhD in physical oceanography

PhD in applied mathematics

Job description

Position overview
Position title:
Ocean Data Assimilation Postdoctoral Scholar

Salary range:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC salary scales set the minimum pay based on the individual's Experience Level, which is determined by the number of months of postdoctoral service at any institution. See the salary scale titled, Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee /Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow / Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct -Fiscal Year. A reasonable estimate for this position is $66-737 - $74,425.

Percent time:
Full-time (100%)

Anticipated start:
As soon as possible after initial review of the applications. Ph.D. must be in hand at time of the initial appointment.

Position duration:
Maximum Duration of Service in a Postdoctoral Title: Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are full-time and the initial appointment is for a minimum of two years, with the possibility of reappointment. The total duration of an individual's postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at any institution.

Application Window

Open date: January 2, 2025

Next review date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Andrew Moore in the Ocean Sciences Department at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position Ocean Data Assimilation Postdoctoral Scholar.

The postdoctoral scholar will join the Ocean Modeling Group (OMG) at UCSC, which engages in research focused on the physical and biogeochemical modeling of the ocean using primarily the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). The OMG is a recognized leader in regional ocean data assimilation and ocean prediction.

The appointee will work on a collaborative NOAA funded project involving researchers at UCSC, Rutgers University (RU), and North Carolina State University (NCSU). The goal of the project is to develop a prototype ocean analysis-forecast system for the U.S. east coast extending from the Gulf of Maine to the Caribbean Sea. The resulting East Coast Community Ocean Forecast System (ECCOFS) will initially be based on the ROMS 4-dimensional variational (4D-Var) data assimilation system, and it is expected that ECCOFS will eventually be transitioned to operational use within the NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) where it will function in conjunction with JEDI (the Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration). A particular focus of the work at UCSC will be the use of multi-grid methods and mixed precision approaches to 4D-Var data assimilation within the ROMS ECCOFS environment. The appointee will be expected to conduct original research as part of this collaborative NOAA funded project. The position will require the postdoctoral scholar to consistently demonstrate strong organizational, technical and interpersonal skills, and to work closely with other scientists and graduate students at UCSC, RU and NCSU. Excellent communications skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with individuals having diverse skill sets and backgrounds are therefore also critical.

Additional desired skills include the following: experience using ROMS; familiarity with parallel computing and high-performance computing environments; a working knowledge of FORTRAN; experience working with large NetCDF data sets; experience with Matlab and/or Python; an interest in gaining experience with JEDI.

Applicants with any of the following areas of experience are strongly encouraged to apply: knowledge of ocean data assimilation, particularly 4D-Var; ocean modelling experience, particularly using ROMS; experience using ROMS 4D-Var.

Ocean Sciences Department: https://science.ucsc.edu/department/ocea/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)

PhD (or equivalent foreign degree) in physical oceanography, applied mathematics or a related discipline.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  
  

• Cover Letter - Please provide a statement of your current research interests and experience as they relate to this position.

  
  

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC's confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm

Apply link:
https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01847

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Santa Cruz

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.


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Job location

Santa Cruz, CA