Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Ocean CDR Atlas

Job Description

Job Description

About [C]Worthy

[C]Worthy is a non-profit research organization transforming research-grade oceanographic models into open, reproducible, and auditable decision-support tools for ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Ocean CDR technologies, leveraging the ocean’s vast natural capacity to absorb and store atmospheric carbon dioxide, have the potential to make significant contributions to climate change mitigation alongside deep emissions reductions, as the world works to meet global climate targets. However, because the ocean is a dynamic, open system, measuring how much carbon a given CDR intervention actually removes presents a major scientific challenge. This is why robust Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) is essential: transparent, science-backed MRV builds the trust needed for governments, communities, and carbon markets to research and scale safe, effective ocean-based solutions to climate change.

At [C]Worthy, we are building C-Star, an open-source modeling platform that systematizes regional biogeochemical ocean modeling through automated, reproducible workflows, functioning as a one-stop-shop to create input and forcing data, model configurations, model execution, postpost-processing, and analysis. We use this software for a range of applications within CDR research and MRV applications, and work with external partners to establish a broad user-base of our software within both academia and industry.

By establishing shared, open-source infrastructure, validated model domains, and reusable workflows, we dramatically lower the barrier to entry for new ocean modeling projects and ensure scientific innovations benefit the broader community. Ultimately, we aim to democratize access to advanced ocean modeling tools—empowering researchers, policymakers, and local communities to actively shape ocean governance and marine resource management.

[C]Worthy is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Role Overview

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to work with our team on the development of a high-resolution Ocean CDR Atlas dataset. The goal of the Atlas is to simulate ocean CDR interventions, such as ocean enhanced alkalinity (OAE) and direct ocean removal (DOR) across a range of locations spanning the continental west coast of the United States of America. 

This is a unique postdoctoral position, which sits at the intersection of academia and industry, offering multiple learning and career-advancing opportunities at once:

• Answer central scientific questions at the frontier of ocean carbon capture research
• Use cutting edge open-source ocean models and ocean modelling tools paving the way for others to follow your steps
• Design and develop data visualization tools specific to large geospatial datasets
• Interact with both academic and industry researchers and practitioners of ocean carbon capture
• Gain skills in scientific software development and contribute to collaborative open-source software packages

Key Responsibilities

The postdoctoral scientist will receive training in how to configure and validate a mesoscale-resolving domain spanning the Pacific ocean using reproducible [C]Worthy software tools and workflows, and will subsequently design and analyze production grade Atlas simulations. These simulations will enable the postdoctoral scientist to conduct research identifying which release locations and intervention technologies have the potential to achieve the highest carbon uptake efficiency, and to what extent release depth, seasonality and inter-annual variability matters for short term and long term ocean carbon uptake. The Atlas simulations will be performed with the ROMS regional ocean model within C-Star. 

The next step is to work with a broader team to design and implement a public data hosting strategy, including data visualization, and to release the Atlas as a public, documented dataset enabling MRV calculations. Finally, the postdoc may work with external collaborators to establish nested submesoscale domains within the broader Pacific domain to research mixed-layer exchange dynamics associated at 1–10 km scales within select CDR intervention locations. 

The postdoctoral scientist is expected to produce one or more peer-reviewed manuscripts describing the Atlas methodology and main results, as well as actively engage the data user community—such as CDR deployment operators, MRV practitioners, and academic collaborators—through direct outreach, workshops and conferences.

Required Qualifications

The position is based in Boulder, Colorado (preferred), although hybrid and remote applications will be considered.

• Ph.D. in oceanography or a closely related field
• Experience configuring, running, and evaluating ocean model simulations (ROMS, Oceananigans, MITgcm, CESM, or similar)
• Background in ocean biogeochemistry, including carbonate chemistry
• Proficiency in gridded dataset analysis using python-packages such as xarray, dask, and numpy
• Ability to work with large geospatial datasets, and familiarity with file formats such as netcdf and zarr
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to collaborate in a small, fast-moving research team

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience configuring and running coupled ocean physics and biogeochemistry model simulations
• Previous research on the topic of ocean carbon capture
• Previous experience in open-source scientific software development

This position is full-time, fixed-term (1 year, with possibility of renewal). We expect this role to start as soon as possible.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.