Postdoctoral Researcher

Postdoctoral Researcher

Job Requisition: JR101341 | Department: VIMS / CCRM. Salary: up to $70,000, commensurate with experience. Position: 12‑month fixed‑term, term‑restricted, subject to funding availability.

The mission of William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to pursue and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science. The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) supports decision‑making on coastal and marine resource issues through research, modeling, and applied analysis. This postdoctoral researcher will serve as a numerical modeler and programmer in the coastal systems modeling group led by Dr.

Y.Joseph Zhang, supporting research on coastal hydrodynamics, water quality, and environmental forecasting with physics‑based and AI‑driven approaches.

• Education:
  
  Earned Ph.D. in computational science, applied mathematics, physical oceanography, or a related field.
• Competencies:
  
  Strong quantitative, numerical modeling, and programming skills, including web‑based programming. Broad knowledge of coastal and estuarine systems.
• Experience:
  
  Applied numerical models to oceanic and estuarine systems. Record of peer‑reviewed research and scholarly publication appropriate to career stage.

• Education:
  
  Record of peer‑reviewed research and scholarly publication appropriate to career stage.
• Competencies:
  
  Expertise in uncertainty quantification and statistical methods; experience with data assimilation techniques; machine‑learning applications to ocean or coastal modeling.
• Experience:
  
  Hands‑on experience with unstructured grid numerical models, particularly SCHISM; demonstrated experience working in interdisciplinary research teams.

• Research and Project Support (75%)
  • Conduct advanced numerical modeling research for the Center of Excellence for Environmental Forecasting (CEEF), focusing on recurrent flooding, coastal resilience, and related system processes.
  • Apply physics‑based and AI‑based modeling approaches to simulate coastal hydrodynamics, water quality, sediment transport, and estuarine processes using SCHISM and emerging frameworks.
  • Develop, test, calibrate, and implement next‑generation “creek‑to‑ocean” operational modeling systems.
  • Support other funded research projects aligned with CEEF priorities, collaborating with faculty, graduate students, and visiting scientists.
  • Assist with model setup, data processing, analysis, visualization, and interpretation to support project objectives and decision‑making.
• Scholarly Publications (15%)
  • Prepare manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals based on modeling results and research findings.
  • Collaborate with team members and co‑authors to synthesize results, develop clear documentation, and respond to reviewer feedback.
  • Maintain an active research and publication record consistent with expectations of externally funded projects.
• Proposal and Report Development (10%)
  • Assist in preparing technical reports, research summaries, and grant proposals for sponsors and funding agencies.
  • Contribute modeling results, figures, methods descriptions, and technical narratives to reports and deliverables.
  • Participate in proposal development to secure continued and new external research funding aligned with CCRM and CEEF priorities.

William & Mary offers a competitive benefits package that supports employee well‑being and professional growth, including access to on‑campus fitness facilities, university libraries, wellness resources, educational assistance, professional development opportunities, and a robust holiday schedule.

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