Research Scientist

Job Requisition:

JR101439 Research Scientist (Open)
Job Posting

Title:

Research Scientist Department:

CC00496 VIMS1 | RADV | CCRMJob Family:

Staff
- Scientist Worker Sub-Type:

Fixed Term (requires end date - benefited) (Fixed Term)
Job

Requisition Primary

Location:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science Primary Job Posting

Location:

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Job Description

Summary:

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has a three-part mission of research, education, and advisory service. Our overarching goals are to:

Make seminal advances in understanding marine systems through research and discovery

Translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance

Provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with a coastal and marine sciences education of unsurpassed quality

The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) supports informed decision-making on resource management issues at all levels of government, including private and corporate stakeholders, through applied research, advisory services, and scientific innovation.

Job Description:

The Research Scientist will join the Coastal Systems Modeling Group within CCRM to support and advance research in coastal hydrodynamics, water quality processes, and next-generation operational modeling systems. The position will contribute to the development and implementation of seamless “creek-to-ocean” modeling frameworks using the SCHISM modeling system and advance artificial intelligence (AI)-based modeling approaches for coastal flooding and estuarine systems.

The Research Scientist will work collaboratively with faculty, graduate students, visiting scholars, and interdisciplinary partners while also developing independent research aligned with programmatic priorities and sponsor objectives.

Required Qualifications Education Ph .D. in Coastal Engineering, Oceanography, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Marine Science, Applied Mathematics, or closely related field

Experience

Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed research and scholarship commensurate with career stage

Experience with numerical modeling of oceanic and estuarine systems

Experience using unstructured grid models, particularly SCHISMExperience working in interdisciplinary research teams

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies Strong quantitative and analytical skills

Advanced programming skills (e.g., Python, Fortran, MATLAB, R, C/C++)Experience with web-based model applications or visualization tools

Knowledge of coastal and estuarine physical processes

Familiarity with uncertainty quantification and statistical analysis

Preferred Qualifications Experience integrating AI or machine learning approaches into environmental modeling

Experience with operational forecasting systems

Experience working on NOAA-funded or federal research projects

Experience mentoring graduate students

Experience contributing to proposal development and grant management

Salary Range :
Starting at $65,000.00

Core

Duties & Responsibilities
1. Coastal Systems Modeling & Numerical Simulation (35%)Develop, implement, and refine unstructured-grid hydrodynamic and water quality models, particularly using the SCHISM modeling framework

Support development of seamless creek-to-ocean operational forecasting systems

Conduct model calibration, validation, and performance evaluation

Perform uncertainty quantification and statistical analyses of model outputs

Maintain version control and reproducible modeling workflows
2. AI-Based Model Development & Innovation (25%)Develop and extend next-generation AI and machine learning models for coastal flooding and estuarine processes

Integrate AI methodologies with physics-based numerical models

Explore hybrid modeling frameworks to improve predictive skill and computational efficiency

Contribute to advancing operational forecasting tools for stakeholder use
3. Research, Scholarship & Grant Support (20%)Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and sponsor deliverables

Assist in preparation of grant proposals and continuation applications

Present research findings at scientific conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings

Su…