Recruiting Graduate Student at VIMS (Virginia Inst. of Marine Science)

[ckharris]

Sediment processes such as erosion, deposition, and suspended transport impact water quality in shallow water systems such as estuaries and continental shelves. Numerical models provide a means of quantifying the impact of sediment transport on issues such as contaminant transport, and nutrient cycling. We seek multiple M.S. or Ph.D. students whose research will focus on applying numerical sediment transport models to address water quality issues in estuarine environments. Numerical model development and applications will use the COAWST (Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport) modeling system, and the sediment transport routines within ROMS (the Regional Ocean Modeling System). These graduate students will work within Dr. Courtney Harris’ group at VIMS, and participate in collaborations with researchers from numerous other institutions.

The ideal candidates will have strong backgrounds in mathematics, physics, and computer applications such as MATLAB, python, and scientific programming. Experience with numerical ocean models, marine science, and strong communications skills is advantageous. Support for these research assistantships is available from projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

For more information, contact Dr. Courtney Harris (ckharris@vims.edu).