Graduate Student Opportunities

The Carolina Dynamical Oceanography Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill is recruiting graduate students (Ph.D. preferred) 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

There are currently no open postdoctoral positions. However, prospective scholars are encouraged to contact Ken to discuss potential collaborations or fellowship proposals.

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!