Job Title: Coastal Dynamics Research Associate 

Supervisor: Hannah Baranes

Pay Grade:  6 Pay Grade Range: $53,800 - $86,000

Salary Range: $53,800 - $59,274

Overview 

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. To learn more, visit gmri.org.

The foremost global ocean challenge is climate change as it represents an existential threat to coastal communities as we know them. Through the work of GMRI’s Climate Center, we aim to empower coastal communities and businesses to thrive in a warmer world by leveraging climate action from the local to the global level. We do this through a user-centered science-engagement-solutions framework for delivering climate services to coastal and marine stakeholders. 

GMRI is seeking applicants for a Coastal Dynamics Research Associate to work under the supervision of Dr. Hannah Baranes, Assistant Research Scientist and leader of the Coastal Dynamics Lab in GMRI’s Climate Center. The position is located at GMRI’s lab on the waterfront of Portland, Maine. [DR4] The incumbent will join a rapidly growing Climate Center team that is working to integrate and elevate the climate-related work across the organization while charting new directions for us to provide climate services to coastal communities across the region. The incumbent will work collaboratively with Dr. Baranes and other GMRI staff, such as our Climate Center Director, Climate Engagement Specialist and Municipal Climate Action Program Manager, as well as with regional collaborators at the Maine Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other academic, research, and government institutions. 

To date, the two broad aims of the Coastal Dynamics Lab have been: 

1. Use a combination of observational, statistical modeling, and numerical modeling techniques to characterize coastal and estuarine flood risk 
2. Develop technical guidance, tools, and trainings that support translation of sea level rise and flood hazard science to coastal management, climate resilience planning, flood forecasting and preparedness, and state rule-making 

The incumbent will contribute to ongoing projects that support these aims, in particular: our NOAA-funded Climate Smart Working Waterfronts project; our National Science Foundation-funded Civic Innovation Challenge project; and National Fish & Wildlife Foundation-funded Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Data and Education Hub project. 

The incumbent will also focus on one of two emerging research areas: 

The first is an investigation of recent high sea level in the Northeastern United States (Cape Hatteras through the Gulf of Maine). In Portland, for example, 2023 annual mean sea level was 8 cm higher than 2022 annual mean sea level, and sea level has remained high in early-2024. There was a high sea level anomaly in the Northeastern U.S. in 2010 that has been attributed to wind patterns associated with a strongly negative North Atlantic Oscillation and a reduction in Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation slowing the Gulf Stream (Goddard et al., 2015). The incumbent would investigate the drivers and spatiotemporal signature of present-day high sea level, which are currently unknown. 

The second possibility is an investigation of sedimentary characteristics and evolution of intertidal mudflats in the Gulf of Maine. During the late-summer and fall the incumbent would work with Dr. Baranes, an undergraduate intern, and external collaborators to conduct initial field work (if desired; field work is not required), laboratory work, literature review, and data analysis. At the culmination of the preliminary research phase, the incumbent would support the development of a federal research proposal. This research has two potential aims: 

1. Develop metrics and methods for describing/measuring sedimentary characteristics of mudflats that are correlated with habitat quality for commercially and culturally important intertidal species. Research questions include:

a. What sedimentary characteristics (e.g., grain size, organic content, bulk density, shear strength, and biofilms) are conducive to supporting intertidal species populations? 

b. Can these characteristics be measured with simple in-situ techniques (e.g., a hand-held penetrometer) and/or laboratory measurements? 

c. Can measurements be used to develop remotely sensed metrics of habitat quality? 

d. How do quantitative measurements compare to descriptions of sedimentary characteristics and habitat quality by local harvesters? 

2. Develop an understanding of how human and climate forcings have historically affected mudflat extent, sedimentary characteristics, habitat suitability, and harvester access. Potential forcings to investigate include harvesting, coastal armoring, and changes in sea level, ice cover, and tidal and wave characteristics. Research questions may include: 

a. Can we measure historical accumulation rates and temporal variation in sedimentary characteristics in this highly dynamic (i.e., erosive) system? 

b. How have mean tidal levels, ice cover, tidal and wave characteristics, harvesting practices, and coastal armoring evolved over time? 

c. Can we identify local sources, timescales, and mechanisms of sediment delivery to mudflats? 

This full-time, permanent position offers one year of full support, with the possibility of extension contingent upon the availability of additional funds. The incumbent will collaborate with Dr. Baranes to secure external funding to sustain this position, gradually assuming increased responsibility for doing so over time. 

Reference: Goddard, P. B., Yin, J., Griffies, S. M., & Zhang, S. (2015). An extreme event of sea-level rise along the Northeast coast of North America in 2009-2010. Nature Communications, 6, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7346

Responsibilities/Tasks:

• Support ongoing the Climate Smart Working Waterfronts, NSF Civic Innovation Challenge, and Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Data and Education Hub projects. Tasks may include running statistical models that quantify flood frequency; analyzing water level time series; developing figures and graphics; refining the design of a flood risk assessment tool for working waterfront property managers; reviewing newly-developed technical guidance on applying sea level rise and coastal flooding datasets; and supporting with design and execution of trainings around assessing coastal flood hazard 
• Contribute to the literature review, laboratory analyses, data analyses, and proposal development for the preliminary mudflat work. Take a leadership role in executing one or more elements of the project. 
• Participate in project team meetings and workshops. 
• Participate in program and GMRI staff meetings and activities, including public events, media interviews, and other mission-oriented engagements, as requested.

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or 2 years of experience in geosciences, physical oceanography, or civil and environmental engineering
• Working knowledge of one or more of the following topics: sea level rise and coastal flooding dynamics, coastal/estuarine physical oceanography, coastal geomorphology, and/or coastal sedimentology 
• Experience reading and interpreting scientific literature 
• Proficiency and data analysis experience in MATLAB, Python, and/or R
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills, including experience with written and oral communication to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborate team
• Eligible to work in the United States

Other Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience leading geosciences/engineering field work or laboratory analyses 
• Experience with time series analysis (e.g. filtering and harmonic analysis)
• Published or in-preparation article(s) in a peer-reviewed scientific journal 
• Experience working as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team
• Experience developing and giving scientific presentations and/or developing and running scientific programming for the public or youth 

Diversity and Inclusion:

GMRI has a long-standing policy and commitment to providing equal access and equal employment opportunities in all terms, conditions, processes, and benefits of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. GMRI's employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Applicants and employees are encouraged to voluntarily self-identify their race/ethnicity, gender, disability status and veteran status to assist GMRI in fulfilling various data reporting requirements of the federal government. This self-identification is completely voluntary, will be kept confidential and separate from your application data, and used only to meet federal reporting requirements. Providing or declining to provide this information will not result in adverse action of any kind.

Salary and Benefits:

Gulf of Maine Research Institute offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Salary: $53,800 - $59,274

Application Instructions:

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue on a rolling basis until the successful candidate has been selected. The deadline to submit applications is May 19th, 2024.