Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Summary

The multidisciplinary project "Evaluating Interventions to Avoid Flooding in Southwest Florida's Barrier Island Communities" aims to provide coastal communities in Southwest Florida with site-specific guidance and geo-economic models to improve flood planning and protect vital infrastructure through multi-scale modeling, ongoing field data collection and communication with stakeholders. This is a NOAA-funded and collaborative project between The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers and the United States Geological Survey in St. Petersburg.

The postdoctoral researcher will be based at FGCU and is expected to assess sediment dynamics and impacts to barrier island stability using process-based modeling scenarios under different management strategies, regimes of beach/dune nourishment, and future storm types. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to develop, run and evaluate morphodynamic simulations, assist with field data collection, write/edit project reports, attend local/international conferences, and collaborate with a dynamic team of researchers. An important aspect of the project is communication of results to stakeholders, which includes a number of coastal communities in the southwest Florida region.


We seek a highly motivated researcher interested in combining computational modeling, field observations, and stakeholder engagement to address applied coastal management challenges on barrier island coasts. This is a grant-funded, 24-month position, with an initial 12-month appointment renewable for a second year contingent upon satisfactory performance and continued funding. We anticipate a start date in February 2027.

Job Description

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Collaborating with faculty research mentor and project team members.
• Using existing and newly collected data to set up and calibrate morphodynamic models.
• Applying calibrated models to assess sediment fluxes around barrier islands and tidal inlets.
• Assisting with hydrodynamic and/or sediment coring field data collection efforts.
• Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at both public and scientific meetings.

• Performing other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in relevant field, such as Coastal Engineering, Coastal Geomorphology, or Oceanography.
• Strong background in numerical modeling of coastal processes.
• Proficient programming, data analysis and scientific writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Delft3D and/or XBeach is highly desirable.
• Experience with programming in MATLAB or Python.
• Experience with GIS mapping and data tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS
• Experience with environmental sampling and field research.
• Experience in or interest in learning:
  • High-performance computing (HPC)
  • Analysis of GPR data
  • Analysis of wave and current data

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain accurate research records and manage large digital datasets.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and scholarly publications.
• Ability to mentor and collaborate effectively with students and research staff.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Ability to respond to supervision, guidance and direction in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies.
• Proficiency in data analysis, interpretation, and scientific reporting.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including scientific writing.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate skills necessary to look at situations and processes critically to make recommendations for improvement.
• Communicate with community stakeholders and incorporate feedback.

• Application Materials and Timeline:
• CV
• Cover letter/research statement
• Contact information for 2 references
• A review of applications will begin on November 15 and continues until the position is filled

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.