Ecosystems Modeler

Responsibilities:
CSS is seeking a Coastal Ecosystems Modeling Consultant to join our team and support NOAA NCCOS Coastal Resilience, Restoration, and Assessment Lab, Beaufort, NC.OverviewCSS seeks a PhD Level Consultant to provide short-term support for applied research projects at the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science laboratory (NCCOS) in Beaufort, NC. The NCCOS team conducts basic and applied research on the impact of environmental drivers on ecosystem response variables, including salt marsh primary production and species distribution, carbon burial and flux, sediment accretion and shoreline erosion. The research team uses this information to assess the resilience of coastal ecosystems through a variety of modeling approaches and for developing nature-based approaches to increase the resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities.The successful applicant will support the project titled Keep it in the System: A decision tool for managers considering beneficial use of dredged sediment to increase resilience of coastal marshes and built infrastructure. The projects goal is to determine the best environmental assessment approach to inform the design and implementation of Natural and Nature-Based Features for enhanced coastal resilience, with a focus on beneficial use of dredged sediment. The project will be conducted in the coastal area around Beaufort, NC, and Jacksonville, FL.Core ResponsibilitiesSpecific project elements to be supported by the successful applicant include:Evaluating existing models which predict marsh vulnerability/resilience to sea level rise and wave energy in siting Natural and Nature-based Features in the proposed NC and FL locations (e.g. MEM, SLAMM, UVVR, TNC Resilient Coastal Sites South Atlantic). Investigate incorporation of other models that characterize coastal hydrology and geomorphology for planning purposes (e.g. ADCIRC, GEOMBEST);Conducting fieldwork to collect data on parameters required for modeling to assess the resilience and carbon sequestration function of existing marsh habitats;Refining and running models to analyze both protective (increased marsh resiliency to SLR and erosion) and non-protective (carbon sequestration) services of designed NNBF projects;Contribute to guidance documents that describe the process used to identify and implement sediment driven Natural and Nature-based Features.Contributing to manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:Minimum of Masters degree or equivalent experience plus six years of research beyond Master's in Ecology, Applied Statistics, Geography, Oceanography;Strong background in coastal wetland ecology, wetland biogeochemistry, geomorphology, hydrology,GIS analysis, geospatial or numerical modeling, data visualization, and R programming;Demonstrated excellence in written and oral scientific communication skills, andworking independently and with a team;Work Location:Chapel Hill, NC - Beaufort, NCSome activities can be conducted via telework. A flexible work schedule may be arranged.Project partners are located at the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment, EA Engineering, Science and Technology, and the USACE Environmental Research & Development Center.CSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer who provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetic information. In addition to federal law requirements, CSS complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.