Postdoctoral Research Associate in Simulating Nonlinear Internal Waves

University of Southern Mississippi • Stennis Space Center, MS

42d

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct high-resolution numerical modeling, data analysis, and model validation in collaboration with a multidisciplinary research team. The position offers opportunities for independent research, publication, and collaboration with leading ocean scientists as part of a multi-institutional National Ocean Partnership Program (NOPP; https://nopp-giw.ucsd.edu/) effort. This full-time, 12-month position is supported by a three-year Office of Naval Research (ONR) grant. In recent global ocean simulation studies (Solano et al.,2023; Buijsman et al., 2025) it has been shown that supertidal (nonlinear) internal wave energy is enhanced in the tropics. The aim of this project is to understand nonlinear internal wave generation, cross-scale energy transfers, and non-linear wave-mean flow interactions in this region.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography or a closely related discipline, with successful dissertation defense completed no later than December 31, 2025.
• Candidates must have a publication record that illustrates the ability to conduct and communicate independent research and experience with running and diagnosing MITgcm/ROMS/oceananigans.jl simulations, diagnosing observational data, coding, time series analysis, and internal wave processes.
• The successful candidate will be required to pass a USM employment background check and a NASA background security check to work at Stennis.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Nice To Haves

• Experience in coding in MATLAB, Julia, Python or Fortran, setting-up, running, and diagnosing model simulations, diagnosing observational data sets, diagnosing internal wave energy equations, time series analysis (e.g., regression and Fourier analysis), and vertical mode decomposition.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run high-resolution simulations: Set up nonhydrostatic numerical models (likely MITgcm) nested within regional NCOM simulations to study nonlinear internal wave dynamics near the Amazon shelf and in the Bay of Bengal.
• Provide model data support: Share simulation output with project collaborators to inform observational cruises and mooring deployment strategies.
• Validate and analyze model performance: Compare model results with TPXO, SWOT, and mooring observations to ensure model accuracy and consistency.
• Conduct diagnostic analyses: Use advanced coarse-graining, spectral, and modal decomposition techniques to quantify energy fluxes and assess ocean mixing processes.
• Collaborate with project teams: Work closely with scientists, postdocs, and students across partner institutions to meet project goals and milestones.
• Participate in meetings: Attend and present research progress at weekly to annual project meetings, providing updates and exchanging information with collaborators.
• Publish research findings: Lead the preparation of approximately one first-author, peer-reviewed manuscript per year and contribute as a co-author on additional publications.
• Present research results: Disseminate findings at national and international scientific conferences.
• Support project reporting: Assist with annual reports and other documentation required by the funding agency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees