Human Resources

Job Description Summary

A postdoctoral associate position is available at Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) to conduct research on coastal processes and data assimilation for the Great Lakes system to promote resilient coastal communities. This project will focus on expanding our previous efforts in assimilating field data for Lake Erie and Lake Michigan to Lake Superior and aims to assimilate available historical data with a high-resolution hydrodynamic model to generate the best available reanalysis of the long-term physical and ecological database for Lake Superior. The database will further assist decision-makers, coastal managers, and ecosystem/ecological modelers in planning and evaluating restoration efforts for the Great Lakes over a much longer time horizon, providing the necessary baseline physical information from which to inform historical assessments and scenario projections.

Successful applicants will join a team of research scientists, postdoctoral researchers, undergraduate and graduate students advised by Dr. Pengfei Xue, Associate Director of the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geospatial Engineering, and Director of the Numerical Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory at GLRC.

The candidate’s research expertise must include the following:
• Coastal hydrodynamic modeling/data analysis
• Data assimilation in freshwater/marine systems
We expect the postdoctoral associate to have the ability to work effectively in both numerical modeling and data analysis and to play an important leadership role in interdisciplinary research.

Michigan Tech attracts world-class faculty and staff who enrich the educational experience of smart, motivated, and adventurous students. Applicants who are committed to promoting a sense of belonging and contributing to an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all are strongly encouraged to apply (https://www.mtu.edu/diversity-inclusion/).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

• Review and synthesize relevant literature
• Conduct numerical modeling and data assimilation
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Disseminate research at national and international conferences
• Work and coordinate with other members of the research team including undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and research collaborators.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

Ph.D. in limnology, oceanography, civil and environmental engineering, or related field.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

• A proven track record of publication in leading peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in numerical modeling or coastal data analysis
• Experience in data assimilative modeling

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Experience in modeling FVCOM/ROMS/SCHISM or other similar models
• Extensive experience in coastal dataset analysis and data assimilation
• Experience in hydrodynamic model development

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

The candidate’s research expertise must include the following:
• Coastal hydrodynamic modeling/data analysis
• Data assimilation in freshwater/marine systems
We expect the postdoctoral associate to have the ability to work effectively in both numerical modeling and data analysis and to play an important leadership role in interdisciplinary research.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

Strong oral and written communication skills and expertise in scientific writing, including publications, reports, and grant writing.

Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Language, Mathematics and/or Reasoning Skills

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment is that of a typical office and/or classroom setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. This is not an E-Verified Position.

1

FLSA Status

Exempt

Appointment Term

12 months

Shift

Pay Rate/Salary

No less than $55,000

Title of Position Supervisor

Professor and Associate Director

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Applicants will need to upload the following documents:
cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and a list of three professional references (including contact information)

We strongly encourage applicants to address the required and desired qualifications in their cover letter along with an explanation of how they will contribute to the Vision and Mission of Michigan Tech. 

Additional Information

Michigan Technological University, one of the four major research universities in the State of Michigan, is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula adjacent to Lake Superior. The community offers a small-town environment with outstanding four-season recreational opportunities. Michigan Tech is located in Houghton, MI on the south shore of Lake Superior.

Michigan Tech is proud to be an ADVANCE Institution that has thrice received National Science Foundation support to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM. (see https://www.mtu.edu/advance/).

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer, that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.