Postdoctoral Associate in Ocean and Climate Modeling at MIT (Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences) Massachusetts Institute of Technology in United States

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences to join the Climate Modeling Alliance (CliMA), a collaborative team spanning MIT, Caltech, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of the ocean component of a next-generation, GPU-based climate model that leverages the Julia programming language to improve the accuracy of climate projections by learning physics from data.

Key research areas include developing, implementing, and testing the global configuration of the new ocean model; completing the implementation of sea ice thermodynamics, sea ice rheology, and ocean-ice coupling; and designing computational studies of ocean-ice interactions at high altitudes. The position also involves coupling the ocean model developed at MIT with atmospheric and land models from Caltech and JPL, and conducting computational studies of ocean processes that control key climate features such as global ocean heat uptake, changes in global ocean circulation, and ocean-atmosphere coupling.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in applied mathematics, atmospheric or oceanic sciences, computer science, engineering, physics, statistics, or a related field by the date of hire. A strong background in physical, mathematical, and computational sciences is required, along with experience in programming (preferably Julia) and parallel computing. Candidates should demonstrate effective communication skills, self-motivation, the ability to conduct independent research, and strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Teamwork and adaptability are essential.

This is a full-time, exempt postdoctoral position with a salary range of $71,000 to $91,000 per year. Visa sponsorship is available, and the position is initially for one year with the possibility of extension. MIT offers generous benefits and a supportive, inclusive work environment. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the start date can be any time after September 1st, 2025.

To apply, submit a cover letter specifying relevant qualifications and research interests, a curriculum vitae, one peer-reviewed publication, and three recommendation letters. For more information, contact Prof. Raffaele Ferrari at [email protected]. Apply via the MIT job portal.

Keywords: climate modeling, ocean modeling, applied mathematics, atmospheric sciences, computer science, physics, statistics, parallel computing, Julia programming, Earth sciences.