Postdoctoral Research Associate - Uncertainty Modeling

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.

• 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%)

• 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.

• 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.

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

• Experience in acoustic propagation modeling in any medium.

$70,000.00/Annual

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…