Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of New Hampshire

2d • $65,000

About The Position

As part of a two-institution NASA EPSCoR project, we invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop novel mathematical and computational models of the coupled thermo-fluid dynamics of wind and surface-wave driven shelf-water polynyas in polar oceans. As magnets for biological activity, centers for deep salty water formation that drives global ocean circulation, sinks for atmospheric CO2, and buffer zones controlling the rate of ice shelf melting, polynyas are central to numerous aspects of the Earth system. Quantifiable information about polynya dynamics can be obtained from satellite imagery revealing long, regularly-spaced 'windrows' of nascent ice crystals generated by a subsurface flow known as Langmuir turbulence. The successful candidate will work with Professor Greg Chini at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Program in Integrated Applied Mathematics, and collaborate closely with Professor Colin Meyer at Dartmouth College to develop new models of polynya dynamics, efficient algorithms for inversion of surface signatures, and deeper understanding of controls on polynya maintenance and stability.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or Atmospheric or Oceanic Science, with a focus on Fluid Dynamics
• Experience in high-performance scientific computing (e.g., large-scale numerical simulations of turbulent flows and the numerical solution of large-scale eigenvalue problems)
• Candidates are expected to be highly motivated, capable of independent work, possess strong oral and written communication skills, and have a demonstrated ability to publish high quality papers.
• Candidates must be experienced theoretical and computational fluid dynamicists, preferably with a background that encompasses hydrodynamic instability phenomena and turbulence in convective or boundary layer flows.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the derivation of reduced PDE models of the coupling among surface waves, frazil ice, and convective, shear, and Langmuir turbulence in shelf-water polynyas
• Lead the development and implementation of numerical algorithms for the efficient simulation of the reduced PDEs as well as algorithms for the inversion of sea surface signatures
• Perform numerical simulations using the newly developed algorithms and utilize dynamical systems tools to investigate (i) vertical mixing processes in polynyas, (ii) surface signatures and prospects for inferring subsurface ocean properties, and (iii) the potential bi-stability of polynyas.
• Collaborate with researchers at Dartmouth and Ph.D. student(s) at UNH working on the project
• Lead the dissemination of research results via conference presentations and journal publications.

Benefits

• This position’s budgeted salary is $65,000/annual and is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

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