Post-doctoral Coastal Engineer/Geophysicist

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Natural Capital Project (NatCap) and the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences at Stanford University seek a creative individual for a 1-2 year post-doc to develop and apply models quantifying the role that vegetation and reefs play in coastal hazard reduction.

The post-doc will work on models for quantifying the role that vegetation and reefs play in coastal hazard reduction. The post-doc will draw upon NatCap's existing models for coastal protection services provided by wetlands, segrasses, coral and oyster reefs, mangroves, and other coastal vegetation. Working with the SIGMA group (SImulations of Geophysical MultiphAse flows) led by Dr. Jenny Suckale, he/she will develop new computational approaches to modeling the interaction between the coastal ecosystem and the incoming flow. The position requires experience in wave, storm surge and/or nearshore circulation modeling, as well as knowledge of coastal erosion and sediment transport processes. Previous experience in developing numerical models for coupled systems of partial differential equations is highly desirable. The post-doc will also work with economists and social scientists to envision and specify novel connections with other disciplines to better value coastal ecosystems for hazard reduction and human well-being benefits. Finally, the post-doc will work closely with a team of software engineers to ensure the quantitative models are accessbile to users of NatCap's suite of ecosystem service models and contribute to the development of new web-based apps for environmental policy-makers. Thus, we seek candidates with broad interests and experience and curiosity for a diversity of fields of knowledge and types of projects.

The successful candidate will be a friendly, intelligent, self-directed individual who is excited about working on collaborative projects for the social good. NatCap models are intended to aid in the support of coastal and marine management and to be general and widely applicable, so applicants must be passionate about creating simple, elegant, scientifically robust models for decision-making purposes. The successful applicant will support a variety of NatCap engagements that involve coastal hazard modeling, including development planning in the Bahamas and prioritization of investments in restoration and conservation in the US.

The position is located at Stanford University in the School of School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences, Stanford University. The post-doc with have a shared appointment with the Natural Capital Project and with Dr. Jenny Suckale's lab in the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences. Some national and international travel is required.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in civil engineering, coastal engineering, geology, geophysics, oceanography, or a similar field
• Experience in wave, storm surge and/or nearshore circulation modeling, coastal erosion and sediment transport processes
• Experience building and calibrating models, confronting them with limited data and expressing uncertainty
• Excellent programming skills in C/C++, Matlab, or a suitable substitute
• Experience working with collaborators from diverse backgrounds and interest in working with interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

 

How to Apply: For full consideration, please submit a cover letter, CV, and the names of three references to Dr. Katie Arkema (karkema@stanford.edu) and Dr. Jenny Suckale (jsuckale@stanford.edu) with "Coastal Engineer/Geophysicist Post-doc Application" listed in the subject line. We will begin reviewing applications August 1st, 2015 and the position will remain open until filled.

More information on the Natural Capital Project, a partnership among Stanford University, World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy and the University of Minnesota can be found at www.naturalcapitalproject.org. The webpage of the SIGMA lab led by Dr. Jenny Suckale is located at sigma.stanford.edu. Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer, and we are especially eager to identify minority persons and women with appropriate qualifications.