Postdoctoral Research Associate - Uncertainty Modeling

University System of New Hampshire; Durham (NH); On-site; GBP 44,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of New Hampshire is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to develop physics-based and empirical models for uncertainty in underwater acoustic propagation and validate them with ocean data sets. The role emphasizes independent research, collaboration, and timely milestone completion for a federally funded ONR project.

Ideal candidates will contribute to computational algorithms, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of findings, with strong programming and communication skills.

Qualifications

• PhD in applied mathematics, physics/applied physics, acoustics, or related discipline.
• Strong communication, writing, and programming skills.
• Ability to conduct research independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Candidate must be a US citizen.
• Interest in underwater acoustics or oceanography.
• Advanced knowledge of physical oceanography, numerical methods, or related principles for acoustic propagation modeling.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and tools such as Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C/C++, or comparable languages.
• Ability to work with large datasets and integrate data with acoustics models.
• Knowledge of model validation, uncertainty assessment, data assimilation, and related approaches.
• Excellent analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work independently and manage tasks to meet milestones.

Responsibilities

• Develop models for uncertainty in underwater acoustic propagation applicable to diverse ocean environments.
• Translate propagation and uncertainty models into efficient algorithms for underwater platforms.
• Assist in developing manuscripts, conference presentations, and technical reports.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Data analysis

Scientific computing

Communication

Education

PhD in related field (math/physics/acoustics)

Tools

Fortran

Job description

This postdoctoral researcher position is an essential staff role within Center for Acoustics Research and Education (CARE) supporting a federally funded Office of Naval Research (ONR) research project. This research position will investigate models and their uncertainty for underwater acoustic propagation to better estimate the spatial and temporal properties of underwater soundscapes. The successful applicant will develop physics-based and empirical models for uncertainty in acoustic propagation and validate them with existing ocean acoustic data sets. This position is fully funded for two years and will function as part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers in academia and industry.

The position requires a high level of independent research skill and technical expertise in physical oceanography, numerical modeling, acoustic propagation, and scientific computing. The postdoctoral researcher will develop, apply, evaluate, and integrate uncertainty modelling into the predictions of soundscapes, and will collaborate with project researchers working in complementary technical areas. As essential staff, the postdoctoral researcher is required to maintain research continuity and meet project milestones during periods of departmental curtailment, ensuring timely completion of federally funded research and reporting obligations.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop models for uncertainty in underwater acoustic propagation that are applicable to a wide range of ocean environments. (40%)
• Lead efforts to translate propagation and uncertainty models into computationally efficient algorithms that can be executed on underwater platforms. (40%)
• Assist in the development of manuscripts, conference presentations, and technical reports to document and communicate research findings. (20%)

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experiment

• A Ph.D. in applied mathematics, physics/applied physics, acoustics, or related discipline.
• Strong communication, writing, and programming skills.
• A demonstrated ability to conduct research independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Candidate must be a US citizen.
• An interest in underwater acoustics or oceanography.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of physical oceanography, numerical methods, or closely related principles relevant to acoustic propagation modeling.
• Proficiency in scientific programming and computational tools commonly used in numerical modeling and environmental data analysis, such as Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C/C++, or comparable languages and tools.
• Ability to work with large datasets and to integrate these data with acoustics models.
• Knowledge of model validation, uncertainty assessment, data assimilation, model initialization, downscaling, or related model-data integration approaches.
• Excellent analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills for addressing complex physical and computational research questions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate technical modeling results effectively to multidisciplinary research teams and funding agencies.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage research tasks, maintain reproducible technical documentation, and meet project milestones and deadlines.

Other Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required due to the nature of the federally funded research and applicable export-control and project access requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in acoustic propagation modeling in any medium.

Compensation Pay Range

$70,000.00/Annual

Funding Note

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire's lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural back