Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT)

Location:

Galveston, Texas

The Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT) at Texas A&M University brings together research, data, and collaboration to strengthen communities against natural hazards. IDRT delivers analytics, tools, and evidence‑based solutions that support state agencies, partners, and local communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters.

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will conduct cutting‑edge research on disaster resilience, coastal engineering, hydrodynamic and morphodynamic coastal processes, and flood risk reduction. You will collaborate across the multidisciplinary team to develop storm surge suppression systems, beach & dune modeling, hydrodynamic field data collection, and analysis.

• Conduct research and project tasks in coastal hydrodynamic and morphodynamic numerical modeling.
• Collect and analyze field data on nearshore dynamics.
• Design and analyze flood control infrastructure and nature‑based flood mitigation solutions.
• Perform flood risk and hazard analytics, forecasting, and warning systems.
• Mentor and supervise student and graduate researchers.
• Present research outcomes to small and large audiences.
• Prepare technical progress reports for sponsors.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Engage in outreach activities to promote evidence‑based disaster resilience solutions.

Required

• Doctoral (PhD) degree in Civil, Ocean, Mechanical Engineering or related field focusing on Coastal Systems, Coastal Numerical Modeling, Nearshore Field Data Collection, Hydraulic Engineering, Geotechnical Challenges, or similar.
• Strong analytical, written, oral, and visual communication skills.
• Proficiency in programming languages and data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, R).
• Familiarity with GIS software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS Pro).
• Understanding of coastal sediment transport dynamics.

Preferred

• Experience with coastal numerical modeling tools such as circulation, flooding, wave, and morphodynamic models.
• Experience in coastal/nearshore field data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of flood control and storm surge suppression structures (culverts, pump stations, detention basins, surge barriers, etc.).
• Skill in data analysis and statistical tools for flood forecasting.

Work outdoors in varying weather, noise, and heat; travel to remote locations by driving or flying; ability to operate equipment on land or water.

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability insurance.
• 12‑15 days annual paid holidays; up to eight hours paid sick leave; at least eight hours paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Free exercise programs, release time, and professional development resources.
• Tuition assistance and educational release time.

The Texas A&M University System is an Equal Opportunity, Veterans and Disability Employer. All positions are security‑sensitive and require a criminal history investigation. All employees and applicants are treated with respect and fairness.