Graduate Student Opportunities

The Carolina Dynamical Oceanography Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill is recruiting graduate students (Ph.D. preferred, M.S. considered) to begin in Fall 2026. Students may pursue research in one of two areas:

  • Polar Ocean Dynamics: Investigating ice-ocean boundary layers with multi-scale numerical simulations and laboratory experiments, with applications to melting glaciers and sea level rise.
  • Coastal Ocean Dynamics: Using high-resolution models (e.g., ROMS) guided by observations to study cross-shelf exchange, submesoscale processes, and Gulf Stream-continental shelf interactions.

Applicants should have a background in oceanography, physics, mathematics, engineering, or a related field, and experience with scientific computing. Prior research in fluid dynamics or numerical modeling is helpful but not required.

For applications, see: UNC EMES Graduate Program Application Procedures
Deadline: Dec 16th, 2025

Please email Ken (kenzhao@unc.edu) to express interest as soon as possible.

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Small-Scale Ice-Ocean Interactions

Job Description: The Carolina Dynamical Oceanography Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to investigate the physics of ice-ocean boundary layers using numerical simulations and laboratory experiments.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative team of oceanographers and glaciologists at Oregon State and Tufts, focusing on turbulent seawater dynamics adjacent to ice. Opportunities may also exist to participate in field campaigns in Greenland.

Requirements:

  • Ph.D. in Oceanography, Fluid Dynamics, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Math/Physics, or related field
  • Relevant experience in geophysical fluid dynamics, turbulence, or mechanics
  • Background in LES/DNS/CFD modeling or lab experiments in stratified/rotating fluids

Preferred: Familiarity with ice-ocean interactions, HPC/GPU models, or laboratory methods (PIV, LIF).

Salary: $64k - $72k, commensurate with qualifications
Start Date: As early as Jan 2026 (flexible)
Appointment Length: 2 years
Application Deadline: Oct 31, 2025 (for full consideration)

Application Instructions: Please apply at https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/305729. All application materials must be submitted through the online portal and should include:

  1. Cover letter (research interests, experience, career goals)
  2. Curriculum vitae (with publications)
  3. Names and contact information of three references

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Coastal and Polar Oceanography – We welcome motivated students with backgrounds in applied sciences, physics, math, computer science, or related fields. Projects may involve data-driven ocean physics, idealized modeling, or laboratory ice-ocean experiments in UNC’s Joint Fluids Lab.

If you’re curious about the rapidly changing polar and coastal oceans, send us your CV and join our team!