How to ApplyApplications are welcomed and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. A one page cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should:
- Address your specific interest in the position and outline your experience that is directly related to this position.
- Describe in detail your experience that pertains to each of the required qualifications listed below.
Job SummaryThe Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) is seeking a hydrodynamic modeler to work with the physical modeling team at CIGLR and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) to conduct research on Great Lakes oil spill transport and fate. The research will utilize a state-of-art oil spill transport model, which will be forced by high-resolution hydrodynamic-ice model outputs. The research will evaluate the applicability of the existing oil spill transport models to the Great Lakes freshwater environment.
Responsibilities*- Lead in research to verify lake surface current simulations from NOAA's Great Lakes Operational Forecast System using multiple approaches, including comparing model outputs with available observation datasets (e.g., drifter buoys).
- Design and conduct oil spill transport model simulations for select scenarios based on the General NOAA Operational Modeling Environment (GNOME).
- Evaluate GNOME for application to the freshwater environment in the Great Lakes and identify gaps for predicting oil spill trajectories in different freshwater conditions (e.g., open water or ice-covered).
- Attend regular project meetings and present research progress. Lead in writing reporting materials.
- Present research findings at scientific conferences, and lead in developing manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
Required Qualifications*- A PhD degree in physical oceanography, coastal engineering, or a similar field.
- Proficiency with data analysis and visualization in a scripting environment using R, Python, or similar software.
- Extensive experience with common geophysical data formants, such as CSV, NetCDF, and Grib2.
- Six years of experience with Linux or Unix-based computing environments.
Modes of WorkPositions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .
Additional InformationThis position is open only to US Citizens or permanent residents due to federal security clearance required for access to NOAA GLERL facilities and resources.
Term Limited Appointment: This is a one (1) year term limited appointment, with an opportunity for extension based on funding and performance.
Application DeadlineJob openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.
Job DetailJob Opening ID284311
Working TitleOil Spill Hydrodynamic Modeler
Job TitleResearch Lab Specialist Senior
Work LocationAnn Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of WorkMobile/Remote
Full/Part TimeFull-Time
Regular/TemporaryRegular
FLSA StatusExempt
Organizational GroupSchool Nat Res Envir
DepartmentSEAS CIGLR
Posting Begin/End Date10/13/2026 - 10/20/2026
Career InterestResearch
