Coastal Scientist

The Water Institute is looking for an experienced Coastal Scientist to support the Development of physics-based multidimensional coastal and estuarine hydrodynamic modeling frameworks to support decision support, evaluate coastal restoration approaches, and quantify benefits and consequences from restoration activities, including flooding in urban, coastal, and marsh settings, coastal sediment transport, nature-based solutions, and other ecosystem restoration approaches . This role involves conducting cutting-edge research and development in coastal systems and requires a strong understanding of the underlying hydrodynamic processes, as well as proven expertise in hydrodynamic modeling, climate scenario analysis, co-development, and the communication of outputs to communities.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Support/lead the identification, acquisition, analysis and synthesis of datasets for coastal modeling applications, including but not limited to downscaling climate model data, sea level projections, NOAA and USGS gauges, spatial datasets for initial conditions, global re-analysis datasets from atmospheric, ocean, and climate models and related datasets to support hydrodynamic model development, decision science, and long-term planning.
• Support creation of physics-based hydrodynamic models for various coastal applications.
• Interpret and disseminate data and model outputs for the evaluation of ecosystem restoration projects, support decision science, or conduct specialized analysis to support both.
• Publish methods, results, and interpretations in technical memos and original research in scientific papers.
• Present research findings to diverse audiences, including at conferences, seminars, and stakeholder meetings.
• Demonstrate willingness to interact across disciplines and with technical teams from different departments throughout the organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD degree and 1-2 years of experience in quantitative fields such as science or engineering and expertise in coastal science, surface processes, climate model downscaling, sea level science, and coastal hydrodynamics.
• Proven experience with collaborative model development and communication of science to community and stakeholder audiences.
• Graduate-level training in hydrology and hydraulics, climate science, statistics, data science, spatial analysis, and related fields.
• Excellent programming skills in Python, including experience processing geospatial, climate, coastal, and global reanalysis datasets.
• Strong background in coastal hydrodynamic modeling using SFINCS/Delft3D.
• Working knowledge of HPC environments and BASH scripting.
• Excellent written skills, ability to describe highly technical information clearly (including writing technical reports, non-technical summaries, and publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals).
• Strong oral communication skills for discussing highly technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Pro-active attitude to problem-solve, ability to work independently, and self-motivated.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with climate downscaling or reanalysis products.
• Familiarity with land use, flow monitoring observational datasets, digital elevation datasets, and other geospatial datasets relevant to coastal modeling.
• Familiarity with additional hydrologic and hydraulic modeling (e.g., HEC-RAS 1D/2D, HEC-HMS, EPA SWMM/NET, SMS).
• Knowledge and experience with data analysis and interpretation using statistical techniques
• Understanding of current scientific literature related to coastal surface processes and the response of coastal ecosystems to climate forcing
• Identify and assist with the acquisition of funding from public, private, and federal sources
• Ability to independently design, execute, and validate science-based solutions to complex, open-ended problems related to coastal modeling applications in various geomorphic systems.

Successful candidates will desire to continue expanding their knowledge and skills, be results-driven and self-motivated, and are capable of effective cross-disciplinary collaboration in a demanding, fast-paced environment. Responsibilities will reflect career stage and previous experience. Workload will vary from week to week, and candidates will be flexible, willing to occasionally work evenings, and travel for meetings and conferences.

The Water Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

We are headquartered in Baton Rouge and the position will be located in Pittsburgh, PA, Northern Virginia (near Ashburn), or in Louisiana at our main office in Baton Rouge. The hiring pay for the position starts at $90,000 and a final determination is based on the skills, education, and/or experience of the successful candidate. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current staff as part of any final offer. We also offer a generous benefits package for full-time exempt positions.

Unique Benefits of a Water Institute Career

• Growth opportunity: We are always learning and developing new research methodologies and working with partners to solve problems. You will have the opportunity to engage in growing and leading research with ample opportunities to take ownership and flourish.
• Flexibility: We understand that our team members have different needs and do our best to work with their schedules and provide benefits and resources to meet these needs.
• Inclusive environment: We are committed to building an inclusive environment where all teammates feel comfortable and supported.
• Fun! We love to keep things fun, both within our work and at company-wide events.
• Work-life balance: We are respectful of people’s boundaries and support that through the Institute's values so that our team has time to recharge and do their best work within the mission of the organization.
• The Water Institute Values: Scientific Integrity, Excellence, Transdisciplinary Collaboration, Accountability, Diversity, Work/Life Balance, Respect, Impact