OPS Temp Visiting Research Scholar - Civil & Environmental Engineering

University of South Florida; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Florida in Tampa invites applications for a Temporary Visiting Research Scholar to join the SAFER initiative. The role focuses on coastal flood modeling, CAP prototype development, and AI/ML-assisted simulations within an interdisciplinary team.

The appointment spans one year with potential extension, requiring 40 hours per week on-site at the Tampa campus. The scholar collaborates with multiple faculty and contributes to publications and NSF ERC pre-proposal materials,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, coastal, or related field.
• Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• SB 1310 related eligibility and substitution clauses.

Responsibilities

• Set up, calibrate, and validate a 3D coastal storm-surge and circulation model for Tampa Bay and its estuaries.
• Couple coastal model outputs with HEC-RAS and SWMM for compound flooding.
• Build library of Tampa Bay flood scenarios for transport and supply-chain analyses.
• Contribute to CAP prototype design including data formats and dashboards.
• Explore AI/ML surrogate modeling and scenario generation for simulations.
• Participate in stakeholder workshops with local governments and emergency agencies.
• Prepare journal publications and conference materials for NSF ERC pre-proposal.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Fortran

C/C++

GIS

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

ADCIRC

ROMS

FVCOM

Delft3D

SCHISM

Job description

Temporary Visiting Research Scholar: Coastal Compound Flood Modeling and Infrastructure Resilience

Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Position #220094099

Appointment Details

• Duration: 1 year with potential for extension
• Support: $25.48/hr. (53,000/yr.)
• Hours per week: 40 hrs.
• Location: On-site at USF Tampa campus

Position Overview

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF) invites applications for a temporary Visiting Research Scholar to join the Sustainable Adaptation for Flood and Emergency Resilience (SAFER) initiative. SAFER is an interdisciplinary effort, funded through USF's Interdisciplinary Center Preparation Grant program, to prepare a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center (ERC) proposal. It brings together faculty from four USF colleges working in coastal engineering, hydrology, transportation, geosciences, supply chain management, manufacturing, and urban design.

The central goal of SAFER is the Coastal Adaptation Platform (CAP). CAP is an AI/ML-enabled, human-in-the-loop decision-support system that links coastal storm surge, urban flooding, transportation disruption, logistics, and community vulnerability. The initial testbed is the Tampa Bay region.

The Visiting Research Scholar will work with Dr. Andres Tejada-Martinez on the coastal and compound flood modeling component of CAP. The scholar will also collaborate with Drs. Mauricio Arias (urban drainage and hydraulics), Yu Zhang (transportation modeling), and Barnali Dixon (geospatial analytics and the Community Resiliency Information System, CRIS).

Responsibilities

• Set up, calibrate, and validate a 3D coastal storm-surge and circulation model for Tampa Bay and its estuaries, including tides, wind forcing, and river discharge.
• Couple coastal model outputs with HEC-RAS (overland and surface flooding) and SWMM (stormwater drainage). The coupled system will represent compound flooding from the coast into the urban interior.
• Build a library of representative Tampa Bay storm and flood scenarios. These will produce water-level and inundation fields that feed transportation impact analyses (MATSim/AIMSUN) and supply-chain analyses.
• Contribute to the design of SSIF and the Tampa Bay CAP prototype, including data formats, workflows, and dashboard-ready outputs such as flood extent, water depth, and roadway closure risk.
• Explore AI/ML approaches, such as surrogate modeling and scenario generation, that complement physics-based simulations.
• Take part in stakeholder workshops with local governments, emergency managers, transit agencies, and port partners.
• Prepare journal publications, conference presentations, and technical material supporting the NSF ERC pre-proposal and related proposals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field of specialization.
• Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with compound flooding, or with coupling coastal models to urban flood or drainage models such as HEC-RAS 2D or SWMM.
• Familiarity with GIS and geospatial data processing.
• Experience with data assimilation, model-data integration using gauge or sensor data, or machine learning for hydrodynamic or flood prediction.
• Interest in how flood hazards affect transportation, logistics, or community vulnerability.
• Experience with stakeholder-engaged or applied resilience research.
• A PhD in civil, environmental, coastal, or ocean engineering, physical oceanography, hydrology, or a closely related field, completed by the start date. Advanced doctoral candidates may be considered.
• Hands‑on experience with at least one coastal ocean, estuarine, or storm‑surge model, such as ADCIRC, ROMS, FVCOM, Delft3D, or SCHISM.
• Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, Fortran, or C/C++, and experience running simulations on Linux-based high-performance computing systems.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications appropriate to career stage.
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate clearly in English, both in writing and orally.

About Us

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first‑class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota‑Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.