The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, Florida is seeking to fill a Postdoctoral Researcher position to support flow-biota-sediment transport research. The incumbent will join the UCF Ecohydraulics Laboratory in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering and support research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA).
Research directions fall within the emerging field of eco-geomorphology, including computational simulations of estuarine morphodynamics, integrating feedbacks between hydrodynamics, biota (mangroves, seagrasses, marsh grasses, shellfish reef) and sediment transport processes. Successful candidates will integrate results of field investigation and lab experimentation in a sediment recirculating flume into computational modeling to support fundamental science in flow-biota-sediment interaction, with direct applications to robust design of restoration, nature-based solutions and natural infrastructure aimed at mitigating bank erosion and flooding.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ph.D. degree in Water Resources, Civil, Environmental, Biological or Ecological Engineering, or in a related area (Hydrology, Geomorphology, Marine or other relevant Earth Sciences) from an accredited institution.
- Expertise in sediment transport and free surface hydrodynamics.
- Expertise in coding and analysis of timeseries data (in MATLAB, Python), numerical hydrodynamic and morphodynamic modelling (e.g. SWAN, Delft 3D).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Prior record of published scholarly work, especially first-author journal publication.
- Experience in design and implementation of field and/or lab experimentation in aquatic environments (boating experience a plus).
- Experience calibrating and deploying sensors (turbidity, ADCP, ADV). Ability to meet project deadlines and work collaboratively as a member of a team.
This 24-month research appointment (pending satisfactory performance) is anticipated to begin in Fall 2024. The UCF Ecohydraulics Lab fosters inclusion and diversity. Applications from early-career researchers under-represented in the Engineering field are welcome.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants should send their CV and writing sample (preferably a published journal article on which you are the first author) to Dr. Kelly Kibler at kelly.kibler@ucf.edu.
