Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of New Hampshire

8d • $62,000 - $67,000

About The Position

The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (CCOM) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to support research and development in nautical chart symbology, chart compilation, and visualization of data overlays within decision-support systems for marine navigation. The position focuses primarily on the design, prototyping, and evaluation of symbology for maritime data products, with particular emphasis on layered displays, perceptual evaluation, and robustness under real operational conditions. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of visual perception, digital cartography, and maritime navigation systems, addressing challenges that are becoming increasingly important as new generation maritime products and services continue to expand. The work has direct relevance to international standards development and operational navigation systems and offers opportunities for scholarly publication and community impact. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, graduate students, and external partners (including NOAA and International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) working groups) to investigate how symbology behaves under multiple overlapping data layers, varying background conditions, and operational display constraints, and to translate these findings into practical tools, guidelines, and prototype implementations. Furthermore, the candidate may contribute to broader research efforts, including digital chart compilation workflows, geospatial data processing, and related research initiatives within CCOM.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Visualization, Cartography, Geographic Information Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in visualization, computer graphics, or perceptual evaluation.
• Demonstrated proficiency in programming (Python required).
• Ability to work independently while contributing to collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and research skills to design, evaluate, and interpret complex visualization and symbology behaviors.
• Effective communication and collaboration abilities, including writing for academic and technical publication, engaging with interdisciplinary teams, and interacting with external partners and standards bodies.
• Self-management, adaptability, and attention to detail, with the ability to work independently, manage multiple research activities, and learn emerging tools, methods, and standards.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with cartography, GIS, or geospatial data processing.
• Familiarity with color spaces and perceptual metrics (e.g., CIELAB, ΔE-based measures) or a strong willingness to learn.
• Familiarity with maritime navigation systems, ENC/ECDIS concepts, or S-100 standards.
• Experience with user studies, perceptual experiments, or human-factors evaluation.
• Interest in applied research that bridges theory, standards development, and operational use.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on color and symbology behavior in layered electronic chart displays, including transparency, blending, and perceptual separability.
• Develop and evaluate methods for perceptually grounded symbology selection, including simulation-based assessment across multiple background contexts.
• Design and execute evaluation studies (analytical and/or user-centered) to assess interpretability, robustness, and usability of proposed symbology.
• Contribute to related research in nautical cartography, including data generalization and automated chart compilation workflows.
• Design and implement prototype tools (e.g., for color evaluation, blending analysis, or symbology testing).
• Contribute to standards development for emerging maritime product specifications, including interaction with IHO working groups.
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and IHO information papers.
• Provide mentorship to graduate students working on related topics.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree