Postdoctoral Research Associate

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As part of a two-institution NASA EPSCoR project, we invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop novel mathematical and computational models of the coupled thermo-fluid dynamics of wind and surface-wave driven shelf-water polynyas in polar oceans. As magnets for biological activity, centers for deep salty water formation that drives global ocean circulation, sinks for atmospheric CO2, and buffer zones controlling the rate of ice shelf melting, polynyas are central to numerous aspects of the Earth system. Quantifiable information about polynya dynamics can be obtained from satellite imagery revealing long, regularly-spaced 'windrows' of nascent ice crystals generated by a subsurface flow known as Langmuir turbulence. The successful candidate will work with Professor Greg Chini at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Program in Integrated Applied Mathematics, and collaborate closely with Professor Colin Meyer at Dartmouth College to develop new models of polynya dynamics, efficient algorithms for inversion of surface signatures, and deeper understanding of controls on polynya maintenance and stability.

Duties/Responsibilities

Scientific Research Activities (70%)

• Contribute to the derivation of reduced PDE models of the coupling among surface waves, frazil ice, and convective, shear, and Langmuir turbulence in shelf-water polynyas

• Lead the development and implementation of numerical algorithms for the efficient simulation of the reduced PDEs as well as algorithms for the inversion of sea surface signatures

• Perform numerical simulations using the newly developed algorithms and utilize dynamical systems tools to investigate (i) vertical mixing processes in polynyas, (ii) surface signatures and prospects for inferring subsurface ocean properties, and (iii) the potential bi-stability of polynyas.

Collaborative Activities (10%)

• Collaborate with researchers at Dartmouth and Ph.D. student(s) at UNH working on the project

Dissemination of Results (20%)

• Lead the dissemination of research results via conference presentations and journal publications.

Requirements

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• A Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or Atmospheric or Oceanic Science, with a focus on Fluid Dynamics

• Experience in high-performance scientific computing (e.g., large-scale numerical simulations of turbulent flows and the numerical solution of large-scale eigenvalue problems)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Candidates are expected to be highly motivated, capable of independent work, possess strong oral and written communication skills, and have a demonstrated ability to publish high quality papers.

• Candidates must be experienced theoretical and computational fluid dynamicists, preferably with a background that encompasses hydrodynamic instability phenomena and turbulence in convective or boundary layer flows.

Applicant Instructions

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV/Detailed Curriculum Vitae

• Cover Letter (2-page)

  • In the cover letter, applicants should address how their professional training makes them well-suited for the advertised position.

• Contact Information for 3 Professional References

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration.  Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

Compensation Pay Range

This position’s budgeted salary is $65,000/annual and is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off. The initial appointment will be for one year with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on productivity and successful performance. Significant additional research, computing, and travel support is available to facilitate this work.

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. 

The target date for applications is April 15th, 2026, but the search will remain open until the position is filled. Consideration of applications will begin immediately. The successful candidate will be based at UNH.

Questions should be addressed to: Greg Chini, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Director of Integrated Applied Mathematics, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA, [email protected]

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here:USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

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