Postdoctoral Research Associate - Oceanography

Texas A&M University; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LinkedIn Learning

Tuition Assistance

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

The Carbon Cycle and Earth Environment (CACEE) Lab in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate river system responses to enhanced weathering and resulting changes in aquatic geochemistry and carbon fluxes. Applicants will develop river-lake network models, publish research, present at conferences, and mentor students.

Collaboration spans Yale, Georgia Tech, Princeton, and TAMU, with potential PI/Co-PI roles

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Geosciences or a related field.
• Prior experience in river modeling, river-lake network analysis, and biogeochemistry.
• Ability to solve complex differential equations for fluid dynamics and geochemical processes.
• Familiarity with river topology, branching, and flow dynamics.
• Experience with network analysis to interpret river systems.
• Knowledge of tools for simulating river network dynamics (R, Python, GIS).
• Ability to integrate physical, chemical, and biological components in models.

Responsibilities

• Develops dynamic river-lake network models to assess geochemical and ecological changes from enhanced rock weathering.
• Writes manuscripts and co-authors research papers and journal articles.
• Participates in group meetings, PI meetings, and conferences; liaises with collaborators.
• Serves as PI or Co-PI on grants, oversees research design and budgets.
• Mentors students and helps refine research ideas.

Skills

River modeling

Biogeochemistry

Differential equations

River topology

Network analysis

Hydrology

Python

R

GIS

Coding

Education

Ph.D. in Geosciences

Tools

R

Python

GIS

Julia

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Oceanography

Job TitlePostdoctoral Research Associate - Oceanography Agency Texas A&M University Department Oceanography Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job TypeStaff

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job The Carbon Cycle and Earth Environment (CACEE) Lab in the Department of Oceanography at Texas A&M University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate, offering a unique opportunity to investigate river system responses to terrestrial enhanced weathering. This position is part of the Global Ocean and Land Alkalinization (GOAL‑A) project, funded by the Department of Energy’s Earth Shot initiative and led collaboratively by researchers at Yale, Georgia Tech, Princeton, and Texas A&M. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will examine how downstream carbon cycling responds to enhanced terrestrial weathering, with a focus on changes in aquatic geochemistry and carbon fluxes within the interconnected river–lake–groundwater–atmosphere–sediment system.

Opportunities to Contribute

• Develops dynamic river‑lake network models to assess geochemical and ecological changes—including carbon cycling and elemental fluxes—resulting from enhanced rock weathering.
• Writes approximately two manuscripts and co‑authors additional research papers and journal articles with students on river‑lake responses to enhanced rock weathering.
• Participates in collaborative research activities (e.g., group meetings, annual PI meetings), presents at research conferences, and liaises with departmental and cross‑departmental peers on collaborative projects.
• Serves as PI or Co‑PI on new grants, overseeing research activities, experimental design, and the associated budget and expense management.
• Mentors students by encouraging them to develop research ideas and hypotheses and working collaboratively to refine and test those ideas.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Geosciences or a related field.
• Prior experience in river modeling, river‑lake network analysis and biogeochemistry.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex differential equations, essential for modeling fluid dynamics and geochemical processes in river‑lake systems.
• Extensive knowledge of river topology, including understanding of riverine structures, branching patterns, and flow dynamics.
• Experience in network analysis, capable of analyzing and interpreting the interconnectedness and hierarchical structuring of river systems.
• Familiarity with software and tools for simulating river network dynamics, such as R, Julia, Python, or GIS‑based hydrological modeling platforms.
• Ability to integrate physical, chemical, and biological components into the river‑lake network models to simulate realistic environmental conditions.
• Experience with various hydrology, hydraulic, sediment transport, and water quality models, especially public domain models.
• Experience with simulation of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling in the water column and sediments of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Common examples include, but are not limited to, SWAT, ATS, or CrunchFlow.
• Collaborative spirit to contribute positively to our multi‑institutional team.
• A solid understanding of basic hydrology and water quality.
• Knowledge in coding and modeling dynamic river biogeochemistry change.

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate's education and experience. Please note: This position is grant funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding.

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents& lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, andSelfless Service. The Department of Oceanography in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University (TAMU) is part of an alliance of Ocean Sciences at Texas A&M that spans the Marine Biology and Marine Sciences Departments at TAMU Galveston, Geochemical and Environmental Research Group. This alliance of Ocean Sciences represents a truly unique concentration of educational and research resources. Our educational and research capacity is greatly enhanced by close ties to the College Departments of Atmospheric Sciences, Geography, and Geology& Geophysics, as well as the Berg Hughes Center, and Texas Center forClimate Studies. We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.

Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long‑term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

12-15 days of annual paid holidays

Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

Automatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas

Free exercise programs and release time

Professional Development: All employees have access to freeLinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.