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Postdoctoral Researcher – Flood Forecasting

College of Science and Engineering

Ref. No. University of Galway 243-23

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher with Civil Engineering at the University of Galway, Ireland.

This position is funded by the Science Foundation Ireland, and is available from 1st of January 2024 to contract end date of 1^st of January 2025.

Project Description:

Extensive research exists demonstrating that flooding has increased in frequency in recent decades, fuelling concern that climate change is already influencing flood risk. Projected increases in rainfall, sea level and storm winds are likely to escalate the risk of flooding in the future. The current situation with floods around the globe already threatens sustainable developments, while floods in future are expected to also alter exposure to climate risks, which may potentially reinforce inequalities, and the reality is that they continue exposing large number of lives in risk. Additionally, the consequences of flood events are widespread and impact negatively many SDGs. AS such, there is an urgent need to better understand the dynamics of floods and to provide adequate measures and methods to manage flood risks effectively and efficiently today and for the future. In this context, the aim of this research project is develop and test a Flood Forecasting System (FFS) for an urban area subject to frequent compound floods.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will be based at the University of Galway and contribute towards a recently awarded project in the field of flood modelling and resilient development. The project is aimed at building a process- and model-based flood forecasting system using the latest developments in engineering, IT and social sciences. The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team with colleagues in Civil Engineering, the Centre for Economic Research on Inclusivity and Sustainability (CERIS) and the SFI Data Analytics at the University of Galway.

Duties:

• Conduct research (both independently and as part of a team) in the area of hydrologiacal and hydrodynamic modelling of  floods.
• Perform statistical analysis of extreme events.
• Develop machine learning-based forecasting tools.
• Produce output maps in GIS environment.
• Contribute to the writing of scientific papers and reports for international journals and progress reporting to other researchers and industry partners.
• Assist with the coordination of research activities and actively contribute to research outputs to meet project milestones.
• Participate in and/or present at conferences and/or workshops relevant to the project as required.
• Assist with the supervision of PhD and research students.
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential requirements:

• PhD (or be near to completing a PhD) in mathematics, physics, oceanography, engineering or related area.
• Demonstrated experience with numerical models (e.g.  hydrodynamic, hydrological models).
• Demonstrated experience in statistical/probabilistic analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in machine learning and data mining.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills in English.

Desirable requirements:

• Experience in working with hydrodynamic/hydraulic/hydrology codes.
• Experience in working with NWP models.
• Programming skills sufficient to adapt and/or modify existing models.
• Proven track record in using one or more scripting languages, e.g. MATLAB, Python or similar.
• Competence in a GIS environment.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated track record of publications and conference presentations relative to opportunity.

Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €42,032 - €54,153 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

(Research Salary Scales - University of Galway) 

Start date: Position is available from 1st of January 2024

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE for further information.

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information about the School of Engineering is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/engineering/

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Dr. Indiana Olbert (Indiana.olbert@universityofgalway.ie) or Dr. Thomas McDermott (Thomas.mcdermott@universityofgalway.ie).

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr. Indiana Olbert at Indiana.olbert@universityofgalway.ie

Please put reference number University of Galway 243-23 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) Monday October 16^th.

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment