Moore Postdoctoral Fellowship

UC San Diego Academic Jobs; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 69,073 - 71,632; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego Academic Jobs seeks a Moore Postdoctoral Fellow for research in machine learning-based ocean state estimation within the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Lab. This role includes developing data-driven tools for enhancing prediction efficiency in marine operations and mentoring students.

The position requires a doctoral degree in engineering or related fields, with a salary range of $69,073 – $71,632. Responsibilities include collaborative research, publishing findings, and integrating advanced modeling approaches.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in engineering, oceanography, or a related field.
• Experience in data-driven modeling, machine learning, and/or fluid mechanics.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop reduced-order modeling approaches using high-resolution datasets.
• Train machine learning architectures with observational data.
• Integrate methods for uncertainty-aware ocean state estimation.
• Validate framework using experimental datasets.
• Publish research and present at conferences.
• Mentor students.

Skills

Data-driven modeling

Machine learning

Fluid mechanics

Numerical fluid dynamics

Team collaboration

Excellent communication

Education

Doctoral degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Position Overview

Position title: Moore Postdoctoral Fellow

Salary range: $69,073 – $71,632 (off‑scale salaries may be offered to meet competitive conditions.)

Position will begin Spring/Summer 2026 in the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UC San Diego. The fellowship is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and focuses on machine learning‑based ocean state estimation. The successful candidate will develop and implement data‑driven tools, underpinned by scientific machine learning and reduced‑order modeling, for ocean state estimation with quantified uncertainties, increasing efficiency and accuracy of near‑field prediction of physical and biological conditions for marine operations, including marine carbon dioxide removal and aquaculture. The role includes collaborative work with investigators at partner institutions.

Initial appointment is for two years with possible extension. Total postdoctoral service may not exceed five years. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, in line with the UCSD Postdoc Salary Scale.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and apply reduced‑order modeling approaches using spatiotemporal decompositions of large high‑resolution simulation datasets.
• Develop and train machine learning architectures using reduced‑order predictions together with heterogeneous observational data.
• Integrate data‑driven methods into a framework for uncertainty‑aware ocean state estimation.
• Apply and validate the framework using datasets at experimental sites.
• Publish research in peer‑reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Doctoral degree in engineering, oceanography, or a related field, with relevant background in data‑driven modeling, machine learning, and/or fluid mechanics.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Experience in numerical fluid dynamics or ocean model application, validation, and analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred qualifications

• Publication record in peer‑reviewed journals related to the minimum qualifications.
• Ability to pursue research independently.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae (most recently updated)
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Summary of Doctoral Dissertation – one‑page summary (abstract)

Reference requirements

• 3–5 references (contact information only)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Job Location

San Diego, CA