Postdoctoral Research Position in Physics-Based Machine Learning for Hurricane Compound Flood Modeling and Coastal Resilience
Georgia Institute of Technology
Homepage: https://sarhadi.eas.gatech.edu/
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Hydrological Sciences (HS)
The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) at the Georgia Institute of Technology invites applications for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team in advancing the modeling and understanding of hurricane-driven compound flooding and the development of decision-relevant coastal resilience strategies in a warming climate. The successful candidate will develop and apply physics-based and machine-learning–enabled modeling frameworks to simulate the compound hazards of hurricanes—including flooding from storm surge, extreme rainfall, and riverine interactions—and to evaluate the performance of nature-based, engineered, and hybrid adaptation strategies under scenarios of climate change and sea-level rise. This position will contribute to ongoing projects within the Georgia Tech for Georgia’s Tomorrow (GT2) program and the Coastal Equity and Resilience (CEAR) Hub, which integrate high-resolution, physics-based tropical cyclone and hydrodynamic models with AI/ML emulators to quantify risk reduction and support decision-relevant coastal adaptation planning. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with internal and external partners to assess how diverse adaptation strategies—such as wetland and marsh restoration, living shorelines, elevated roads, and hybrid green–gray infrastructure—can mitigate hurricane-driven flood risks and enhance coastal resilience across Georgia and beyond. For more information about the position, please visit the group website at https://sarhadi.eas.gatech.edu/
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in computer science, computational science and engineering, civil and environmental engineering, coastal/ocean engineering, atmospheric science, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Machine learning and AI techniques for physics-informed modeling, downscaling, or surrogate/emulator development.
- Numerical hydrodynamic modeling of storm surge, rainfall, or riverine flooding.
- Multi-hazard tropical cyclone risk assessment under climate change.
- Strong programming and computational skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Experience in integrating AI/ML with physical modeling frameworks and translating modeling results into actionable insights for climate adaptation is strongly preferred.
Position Description
Appointment: Initial term of two years (renewable based on performance and funding).
Anticipated Start Date: Spring 2026 (flexible).
Mentors: Dr. Ali Sarhadi and Dr. Alex Robel, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Tech.
Salary
This position offers an annual stipend of $70,000, inclusive of a comprehensive benefits package.
Application Instructions
To apply, please send a single PDF to Dr. Ali Sarhadi at sarhadi@gatech.edu, containing the following:
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position and qualifications.
- A curriculum vitae (CV).
- Contact information for two to three professional references.
- (Optional) A one- to two-page statement describing your research interests.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Sarhadi with any questions prior to submitting an application.
About Georgia Tech
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a leading public research university located in Atlanta, a vibrant, culturally diverse city with robust economic sectors. Serving over 45,000 students, Georgia Tech is globally recognized for its top-tier programs in engineering, computing, sciences, business, design, and liberal arts. In the past year, Georgia Tech faculty secured over $1.4 billion in research funding across disciplines, including artificial intelligence, energy sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks in the top 20 U.S. universities for research and development expenditures and is No. 1 among U.S. institutions without a medical school.
About the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
The School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is highly interdisciplinary and spans all major fields of Earth and space science. EAS offers undergraduate degrees including B.S. programs in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS), Solid Earth and Planetary Sciences (SEP), and Environmental Science (ENVS), as well as a unique interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Ocean Science and Engineering in collaboration with the Schools of Biological Sciences and Environmental Engineering. For more information about our School and academic programs, visit eas.gatech.edu. EAS consists of 35 academic faculty members whose research spans the Earth, atmospheric, oceanic, and planetary sciences, as well as interdisciplinary climate and Earth system science. EAS fosters vibrant and inclusive learning experiences that prepare students to advance geoscientific knowledge and become future leaders in academia, government, and industry.