Postdoctoral Scholar in Cascadia Coastal Flood Modeling

Position Overview

School / Campus / College: College of Engineering

Organization: Civil & Environmental Engineering

Title: Postdoctoral Scholar in Cascadia Coastal Flood Modeling

Position Details

Position Description

The University of Washington, Oregon State University and several other regional partners, have recently initiated the Cascadia Coastlines and Peoples Hazards Research Hub (Cascadia CoPes Hub) focused on increasing coastal resiliency among communities in the US Pacific Northwest. We are seeking a Postdoctoral scholar to participate in this convergent coastal hazards research project that is focused on the impacts, and adaptation measures that mitigate, both chronic (climate change induced) and acute (seismic induced) coastal hazards within Cascadia (Humboldt County, CA to the Salish Sea, WA). The successful candidate will join a cohort of several postdocs spread across partner institutions who will work collaboratively on a wide range of project components from seismic hazards to coastal inundation to community planning and engagement.

The Postdoctoral Scholar in Cascadia Coastal Flood Modeling will use high fidelity hydrodynamic models to make predictions of flooding in coastal communities and interface with those communities to support science co-production, translation, and outreach. In particular, the postdoctoral scholar will assist with the following activities:

  1.  Develop, calibrate, and refine high resolution coastal flood models for coastal communities and use current and predicted future conditions to determine probabilistic flood hazard.
  2. Evaluate the probabilities and relative impacts of coastal, river and compound flooding in selected coastal communities under current and predicted future conditions. 
  3. Process model data output and co-developed coastal community resilience metrics to explore a range of alternative coastal futures.
  4. Develop visualizations of model output to communicate results to a diverse array of coastal stakeholders.
  5. Along with the rest of the postdoctoral scholar cohort involved in the Cascadia CoPes Hub, the Scholar will serve as a Coastal Research Community Liaison to identify additional research needs and support science co-production, translation, and outreach.  We see the role of Coastal Research Community Liaison as critical to the success of the research conducted by all Hub researchers.
  6. It is expected that this research will lead to one or more published peer reviewed journal articles that will be co-authored by the candidate and mentor. Other products are also expected as outcomes of this work (e.g., visualizations, an online tool, presentations). 

This postdoctoral scholar position is a full-time 1.00 FTE, 12-month, fixed term professional faculty position.  Reappointment for an additional 1 -2 years is possible depending upon annual review. The position will be housed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington.

Postdoctoral scholars at UW are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to a collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website: https://hr.uw.edu/files/labor/UAW-4121-Postdoc-2021-2023-CBA-TA.pdf

The base salary for this position will be $5,459/month or $65,508/year.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • PhD (at the time of appointment) in Computer Science, Coastal Engineering, Oceanography, Coastal Geology, Civil Engineering, or related field.
  • Experience and skill working with Delft-FM is desired, though applicants having experience with other similar coastal hydrodynamic modeling packages are encouraged to apply.
  • Excellent programming capabilities.
  • Experience with  Matlab and/or Python programming languages.
  • Strong technical writing and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Knowledge and experience working in coastal hazards projects
  • Experience and/or interest in community engagement, co-production, and transdisciplinary science

Instructions

We will begin reviewing applications immediately and applications will be considered until the position is filled. A complete application include the following materials: 

  1. Letter of interest describing how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this postdoctoral position (1 – 2 pages). 
  2. Research statement that highlights your research accomplishments and describes your next steps (1 – 2 pages). 
  3. Curriculum Vitae (no length restriction). 
  4. Names and contact information of three references (1 page). 
  5. Diversity Statement: A one-page description of your contributions to and vision for promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
  6. Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form: State law requires that the University of Washington obtain the Disclosure of Sexual Misconduct declaration signed by the candidate. The declaration will require you to disclose any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct, to authorize current and past employers to disclose to the UW any sexual misconduct currently being investigated and/or committed by you, and to release current and past employers from any liability.

Please direct inquiries to Alex Horner-Devine (arhd@uw.edu). 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

Privacy Notice

Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.

Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.