Post Doctoral Fellow

University of South Carolina; South Carolina; On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Carolina’s School of Earth, Ocean and Environment invites applications for a Staff Research Grant position focused on high‑resolution regional ocean simulations and related analyses. The successful candidate will lead independent lab and computational research, coordinate activities, and contribute to publications and proposals.

The role requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) by the start date, expertise in physical oceanography and ocean modeling, and proficiency in Fortran, Python,

Qualifications

• Requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree by start date.
• Preferred expertise in physical oceanography and/or environmental fluid mechanics.
• Expertise in ocean circulation modeling.
• Ability to independently design and run simulations using ROMS or MOM6.
• Fluency in Fortran, Python, and/or Matlab.
• Demonstrated record of independently led research.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent research activities aligned with grant objectives.
• Conduct numerical experiments and analyze model outputs.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and reports.
• Coordinate research activities and mentor students and research personnel.
• Develop new research directions and proposals for sponsored programs.
• Perform other duties to support the project and department.

Skills

Physical oceanography

Ocean circulation modeling

ROMS/MOM6

Fortran

Python

MATLAB

Independent research leadership

Education

Doctoral (Ph.D.) in relevant field

Tools

ROMS

MOM6

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of thirty (30) business days on our job website. After thirty (30) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by October 17, 2026.

Department CAS School of Earth, Ocean and, Environment

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $69,000

Location of Vacancy

Part/Full Time

Part/Full Time Full Time

Hours per Week 37.5

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm. Schedule may change to meet the needs of the school or college.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Type of Staff Position

Type of Staff Position Staff Research Grant (SRGP)

Basis

Basis 12 months

Job Search Category

Job Search Category Post-doctoral

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement

South Carolina Retirement Yes

State Insurance Programs

State Insurance Programs Yes

Annual Leave Yes

Sick Leave Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

Join the University of South Carolina’s School of Earth, Ocean and Environment and contribute to innovative computational research addressing important questions in ocean, coastal, and climate science. The successful candidate will conduct research in areas such as large-scale and regional ocean dynamics, coastal circulation, ocean–ecosystem interactions, water-mass analysis, and regional climate downscaling, with a primary focus on developing, implementing, and analyzing high-resolution regional ocean simulations.

Working within a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, the candidate will conduct numerical experiments, analyze physical and biogeochemical model outputs, and compare model results with observational and reanalysis datasets. The position also offers opportunities to coordinate research activities, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to scientific reports and research proposals, and present research at professional conferences.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in area of research specialty by the start date of employment.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Expertise in physical oceanography and/or environmental fluid mechanics
• Expertise in ocean circulation modeling
• Ability to independently design and generate simulations using the Regional Oceanic Modeling System ( ROMS ) or other related codes (e.g., MOM6) realistic and/or idealized configurations.
• Ability to analyze TB of NetCDF ocean model output;
• Fluency in Fortran, Python, and/or Matlab;
• Demonstrated record of independently led research.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Fluency in Fortran, Python, and/or Matlab;Demonstrated record of independently led research.

Job Duties

Lead Independent Research Activities. Design, develop, and conduct independent laboratory, computational, and/or field research aligned with grant objectives. Develop experimental protocols, troubleshoot methodologies, interpret results, and ensure research quality and scientific integrity.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 35

Research Data Analysis and Scientific Computing. Analyze complex biological, environmental, genomic, computational, or physical datasets using advanced statistical and computational methods. Develop data visualization products and synthesize findings to support research conclusions.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 25

Grant Support, Publications, and Scientific Communication. Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, contribute to grant proposals and progress reports, present research findings at scientific meetings, and collaborate with funding agencies and research partners as appropriate.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 20

Laboratory Research Coordination. Coordinate day-to-day research activities, oversee laboratory operations, maintain specialized scientific equipment, ensure compliance with laboratory safety requirements, and provide technical guidance and mentoring to students and research personnel.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 10

Program Development and Professional Collaboration. Participate in collaborative research initiatives, establish partnerships with internal and external investigators, assist in developing new research directions, and perform other related duties that support the department’s research mission and sponsored programs.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 5

Other duties. Additional duties assigned to further enhance the development of the research project and the department.

Essential Function Yes

Percentage of Time 5

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 09/16/2026

Position End Date

Position End Date 09/15/2028

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 09/02/2026

Job Close Date

Job Close Date 10/17/2026

Open Until Filled No

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have or will you have at least a Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in an area of research specialty by the start date of employment?
  • Yes
  • No