Center for Marine Science - Postdoctoral Scholar

Vacancy Number: PD-0031
Position Number: PD0008
Location of Workplace: CMS Myrtle Grove

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:
The Center for Marine Science invites applications for Postdoctoral Scholars with the ability to research in one or more of the following Sciences departments and disciplines:

• Marine Science
• Geography
• Environmental Sciences
• Public Policy
• Planning
• Sociology
• Engineering
• Or Related Field

A nascent Coastal Community Flood Resilience Initiative at UNC Wilmington is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher. The successful candidate will work in an interdisciplinary context with Drs. Phil Bresnahan, Meredith Hovis, and Lynn Leonard primarily on a philanthropically funded network-building effort, and will support the development of (1) a regional coastal community flood resilience needs assessment and (2) a proposed solutions implementation plan. We anticipate that this role will require a balance of approximately 50% program management (network-building, stakeholder engagement and outreach, workshop coordination, and development of the needs assessment and implementation plan) and 50% research in the context of this program.

About the project: The UNC Wilmington Coastal Community Flood Resilience Initiative is undertaking several interrelated grant-funded projects focused on improving resilience to flooding in our region of Southeastern North Carolina and surrounding areas. Through a recently funded grant (https://uncw.edu/news/2025/12/uncw-receives-grant-to-advance-flooding-research), we have begun building a network of practitioners, leaders, and decision-makers within local for- and nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and state/federal agencies. We are simultaneously working to strengthen internal collaborations among the many researchers and university departments actively working on these complex challenges. Critical outcomes and outputs of the initiative will be: (1) a more cohesive network of university, public, and private sector leaders and a shared governance model; (2) an analysis of ongoing and recent flood resilience initiatives and assessment of outstanding needs; (3) proposed solutions to be implemented for future improvements in coastal community flood resilience.

Responsibilities:

Conduct and manage collaborative research on coastal community flood resilience gaps and solutions in Southeastern North Carolina.

Lead program management tasks as we begin building a consortium of coastal flood resilience practitioners, leaders, and decision-makers, conduct a needs assessment, and develop a proposed solutions implementation plan.

Collaborate with graduate students, support their research development, and contribute to a feedback group focused on climate adaptation and disaster science.

Coordinate with consortium partners, including organizing group sessions and occasional one-on-one meetings.

Help to design, attend, participate in, and moderate workshops and leadership meetings and related events in collaboration with faculty and an external consultant.

Support the development of a framework for network resource sharing and communication with the network to support collaboration priorities.

Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national conferences (with financial and mentoring support) to advance career goals and engage in professional development.

Ideal start date is Summer 2026. The initial appointment will be for a period of one year, with an excellent possibility of renewal for one or more additional years.



Appointment Description:
Postdoctoral appointments are term-limited based on the availability of funding. Postdoctoral scholars are typically assigned 12-month full-time appointments for a 1-2 year term appointment not to exceed a total of five years.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• PhD in marine science, geography, environmental studies, public policy, planning, sociology, engineering, or a related field (completed by start date).
  • Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in one of the science fields listed above and conferred before the appointment start date, but no more than five (5) years prior to the appointment start date.
  • Exceptions to the 5-year degree requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances.
  
  
  
• Demonstrated experience in coastal flood resilience, physical and/or social science.
• Strong research skills (fieldwork, modeling, data analysis: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to foster team cohesion and work closely with multiple stakeholders.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Experience in or an interest in learning about social network analysis, survey methods, or statistical analyses.
• Experience mentoring or supervising students.
• Experience engaging with practitioners or community partners or in co-developing applied projects.
• Experience in developing, launching, and managing (new) programs/initiatives.

Required Certifications or Licensure:


Dept/School:

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
UNCW's Center for Marine Science has a rich history that spans over 50 years. Coastal access helps us provide an enriching learning environment for students, faculty and staff interested in the marine sciences.

College: Center for Marine Science - 306 CollegeThe Center for Marine Science at UNC Wilmington is dedicated to providing an environment that fosters a multidisciplinary approach to questions in basic and applied coastal and marine research. The mission of the center is to support and promote coastal and marine science at UNCW, including research, outreach and service, and teaching.This includes a variety of fields such as oceanography, coastal and wetland studies, estuarine science, marine physiology and genetics, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, marine policy and education, and other aspects of marine biology, marine and atmospheric chemistry, marine geology, environmental studies/sciences, and physical oceanography.The center fosters research programs of the highest quality and thereby enhances the educational experience provided by The University of North Carolina Wilmington for both undergraduate and graduate students in marine science.

College/School Information:
The Center for Marine Science at UNC Wilmington is dedicated to providing an environment that fosters a multidisciplinary approach to questions in basic and applied coastal and marine research. The mission of the center is to support and promote coastal and marine science at UNCW, including research, outreach and service, and teaching.
This includes a variety of fields such as oceanography, coastal and wetland studies, estuarine science, marine physiology and genetics, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, marine policy and education, and other aspects of marine biology, marine and atmospheric chemistry, marine geology, environmental studies/sciences, and physical oceanography.The center fosters research programs of the highest quality and thereby enhances the educational experience provided by The University of North Carolina Wilmington for both undergraduate and graduate students in marine science.

University Information:
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.

The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of 'Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity' institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

Eligibility for Employment:
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate(s) selected for hire must be able to demonstrate educational credential requirements for the postdoctoral position based on official transcripts and other documentation as required. If the candidate(s) will teach during their appointment, then additional teaching credentials are required. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Special Notes to Applicants:
Please note, this is a postdoctoral position. The length of the assignment will be based on department need with the possibility of continuation. Employees in postdoc positions are considered temporary positions (non-permanent state employees) but do qualify for postdoctoral medical insurance and paid leave, unlike other temporary employees at the university. More information about postdoctoral employees can be found in the Postdoc Handbook.To receive consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application before you apply for this position. For more info/to apply visit the applicant portal. Applications must be submitted through the online application system by 11:59pm EST of the posting close date to be considered.

Requested Job Posting Date: 05/21/2026
Posting Close Date: 6/11/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/39392

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.







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About University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

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