Postdoctoral Research Associate

Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI)

WLW-ECOS & JUMPSTART POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS

Post-doctoral Research Associate – Climate dynamics, sea level rise, Gulf of America (aka Gulf of Mexico), ocean-atmosphere climate modeling, machine learning

FAU’s HBOI and the Department of Geoscience is looking to fill a post-doctoral position to contribute to a project funded by the National Academies Gulf Research Program. The goal of this project is to advance the scientific foundation for understanding and predicting regional sea level variability and rise by integrating high-resolution modeling, observational data, and advanced machine learning. 

To conduct her/his research, the successful candidate will analyze existing Community Earth System Model (CESM) high resolution (HR) simulations for four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) provided through iPOGS. Nested SCHISM and FVCOM simulations will provide the local variations of sea level while accounting for the specifics of the coastal regions of the Gulf of America, under the remote forcing captured in the CESM-HR global simulation such as the Loop Current system, and basin-scale drivers like ENSO. Quantifying local variations will elucidate vulnerable regions where the added pressure of SLR amplifies tidally influenced geomorphic change (e.g., during perigean spring tides). The postdoc will concentrate on diagnosing how large-scale atmospheric and oceanic variability drives sea-level changes in the Gulf of America. This includes quantifying the influence of modes such as ENSO, NAO, AMO, PDO, Loop Current variability, and North Atlantic Warm Pool heat content on sub-seasonal-to-decadal sea-level fluctuations, using CESM-HR historical and RCP ensembles. The postdoc will translate these physical insights into predictor sets and scientifically meaningful features that can be integrated into the machine-learning sea-level prediction framework being developed by the ML personnel on the team. The work will include development of observational and model-based diagnostics, identification of robust climate - SLR linkages, and constructing indices or statistical representations of key processes with predictive skill. The postdoc will collaborate with the ML team to develop a standalone user-friendly predictive tool to links spatiotemporal climate information to coastal sea-level. 

The candidate will be recruited as part of the WLW-ECOS Postdoctoral Fellowships program and/or the FAU College of Science Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program to which the candidate is expected to apply for this position. This is a two-year postdoctoral fellowship. Fellows must have received their Ph.D. within one year of their postdoc start date, which can range from May to August 2026. The candidate will be supervised by ECOS-affiliate faculty advisors Drs Laurent Chérubin at HBOI and Tiffany Roberts Briggs in the Department of Geosciences at FAU’ Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. In addition, the candidate will also collaborate with Dr. Robert Burgman at Florida International University. These programs not only offer the opportunity to spark new collaborations but also provide a platform to support early career scientists.  

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in climate dynamics, large-scale variability, and climate model analysis, along with a solid quantitative background suitable for supporting the ML development. Familiarity with large CESM ensemble datasets, climate reanalysis products, coastal processes, and diagnostic methods for coupled ocean–atmosphere interactions would be especially valuable.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in atmospheric science, physical oceanography, or a related field (required)

• Experience in climate model analysis

• Experience working with collaborators from diverse backgrounds and interest in working with interdisciplinary teams

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Strong programming skills (Fortran, Matlab, Python, …)

To Apply

Please send research interest statement and CV to Dr. Laurent Cherubin, email:lcherubin@fau.edu. Learn more about the Jumpstart Postdoctoral Program and how to apply here: science.fau.edu/postdoc-program.  Learn more about the WLW-ECOS Postdoctoral Fellowships program and how to apply here: fau.edu/ecos/wlw-ecos-postdoc-fellowships. 

Deadline to submit statement of interest and CV to Dr. Cherubin: January 18, 2026.  The selected candidate will be expected to prepare the application materials in collaboration with both advisors and submit by the programmatic deadline of February 2, 2026.

Company Description

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a dynamic institution serving over 32,000 students across six campuses along Florida's Southeast coast. As an “R1: Very High Research Activity” university recognized by the Carnegie Classification, FAU stands out for its leading research initiatives and dedication to social mobility. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report, FAU is also celebrated as one of the most effective universities for promoting upward mobility. FAU attracts top talent, as evidenced by its most competitive incoming class in Fall 2025. To learn more about FAU, visit www.fau.edu.