Postdoc Position in Greenland Fjord Ocean-Biogeochemistry Modeling (up to 2 years) – University of Texas at Austin

Description

The Computational Research in Ice-Ocean Systems (CRIOS) group invites applications for a postdoctoral research position. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research by developing a high-resolution, coupled ocean and biogeochemistry model of a fjord system in Greenland to conduct interdisciplinary studies to understand connections within the regional system and its response to climate change, and have the opportunity to conduct field work and research visits in Greenland. This NSF-funded project is in close collaboration with the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources (GINR) and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, San Jose Staté University.

The project focuses on unraveling the intricate links between physical oceanographic processes, biogeochemistry, and ecosystems in Greenlandic fjords. These fjords support vital marine ecosystems, including commercially important fish and shellfish stocks that sustain Greenland’s indigenous communities. The modeling effort aims to better understand nutrient dynamics, primary productivity, and benthic ecosystems in the context of interannual variability and climate-driven regime shifts.

Starting Date: Flexible, but preferably no later than September 2025

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement a high-resolution, coupled ocean-biogeochemistry model with glacier forcing for a Greenlandic fjord system.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, including physical and biogeochemical oceanographers and ecologists, to integrate observations to improve the model performance.
• Address key research questions around transport processes and ecosystem variability in fjords and publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• (Optional) Participate in fieldwork in Greenland and collaborate through visits to partner institutions.

OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS

• Work in a vibrant research environment at the Oden Institute, renowned for computational sciences, collaborate with scientists in the CRIOS group and other research groups such as the University of Texas Cryosphere Group.
• Collaborate closely with the Greenland Institute for Natural Resources (GINR) and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, San José State University, and elevate your research profile by developing regional connections and creating powerful tools for interdisciplinary research and participate in proposal writing beyond the project’s scope.
• Engage and participate in the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO) consortium.
• Engage with fieldwork opportunities and project partner visits, and present the project results on national and international conferences to extend your scientific network.
• Benefit from a strong mentoring plan designed to support your academic and professional growth, including access to training opportunities such as workshops on grant writing, leadership, and career development. We are committed to supporting your professional development in any possible way!
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in physical oceanography, earth science, or a closely related field.
• Strong programming and data science skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with numerical ocean modeling (e.g., MITgcm) and high-performance computing environments.
• Familiarity with high latitude and fjord oceanography, ocean biogeochemistry, and interdisciplinary research.
• Record of good written and spoken communication skills, as well as evidence of being an independent researcher.
• Demonstrated track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit through the link here: https://apply.interfolio.com/161716

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

A security sensitive background check will be conducted on the applicant selected.

Any questions? Please contact Dr. Kirstin Schulz (kiki.schulz@utexas.edu).