For prospective lab members,
Thanks for your interest in the lab! Please see below for any open lab opportunities, lab and advisor expectations, and information on the programs at University of Florida. Please email a.braswell (at) ufl.edu if you have any questions or inquiries.
Postdoctoral Associate Position: Coastal Flooding, Living Shorelines, and Community Resilience on Florida’s Gulf Coast
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join two complementary interdisciplinary research projects focused on sea level rise (SLR), coastal flooding, resilience in rural and unincorporated communities, and the ecosystem service benefits of small-scale living shorelines along Florida’s Gulf Coast. This work is conducted in close partnership with University of Florida, Florida Sea Grant, Florida Atlantic University, National Academy of Sciences – Gulf Program, and local coastal decision-makers, and emphasizes the translation of cutting-edge science into actionable tools for communities. The postdoctoral associate will help lead both projects described below.
Project 1: Sea Level Rise, Coastal Flooding, and Community Resilience
The postdoctoral associate will contribute to a multi-year effort that integrates:
The postdoctoral associate’s responsibilities for Project 1 will include:
Project 2: Ecosystem Service Benefits of Small-Scale Living Shorelines
The postdoctoral associate’s research for Project 2 will include:
We welcome applicants with backgrounds in:
The position is funded for one year through funding from two sources of funding with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine – Gulf Program. Application for additional funding will be expected and supported by Dr. Braswell. The student will be based at University of Florida, with fieldwork and engagement activities along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The home department of the candidate will be the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences in UF/IFAS (https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/). Annual salary will be $60,000.
To be considered for this position, please contact Dr. Anna Braswell, University of Florida – [email protected] with the following materials: 1) A cover letter describing your research interests, experience, and career goals, 2) a current CV, and 3) contact information for at least two professional references. Application Deadline is May 8th for full consideration (review of applications will be ongoing).
Project 1: Sea Level Rise, Coastal Flooding, and Community Resilience
The postdoctoral associate will contribute to a multi-year effort that integrates:
- Products from high-resolution sea level and coastal flooding data and models
- Observations from newly deployed water level and precipitation sensors
- Advanced data analysis and AI-based approaches
- Community-engaged research and extension activities
- Incorporation of ecological change with SLR and flooding predictions.
The postdoctoral associate’s responsibilities for Project 1 will include:
- Taking sea level model products (developed by FAU) and translating them for coastal communities.
- Analysis of water level data for frequency and duration of coastal flood events.
- Supporting the development of user-friendly, web-based tools that provide localized sea level forecasts and flood information.
- Develop a project that considers ecosystem change along Florida’s Gulf Coast related to coastal flooding and SLR.
Project 2: Ecosystem Service Benefits of Small-Scale Living Shorelines
The postdoctoral associate’s research for Project 2 will include:
- Deploying low-cost instruments (DIY wave gauges, sediment plates, and RTK GPS units) at small, private living shoreline sites across Florida’s Gulf Coast to quantify wave attenuation, sediment erosion, and shoreline position. If experienced in remote sensing, could incorporate land-change analysis.
- Developing practitioner-focused extension materials (fact sheets, infographic-style briefs) and hosting webinars for FSG agents and contractors to translate findings into actionable guidance for private landowners.
- Work with Florida Sea Grant agents to develop extension and educational materials
- Support and participate in public and stakeholder workshops on SLR and flooding
- Engage with local planners, emergency managers, and community members to ensure research products meet local needs
- Contribute to the deployment and analysis of real-time coastal water level sensors for scientific and community use.
We welcome applicants with backgrounds in:
- Environmental science, coastal engineering, geography, ecology, or related fields (a doctoral degree is a required qualification).
- Motivation to lead field research (lab, field, and/or computer-based) and data analysis or programming (e.g. experience in R, Python, ArcGIS, remote sensing, and/or statistics).
- Experience with leading manuscript preparation and presentation of findings
- An interest in applied research, science communication, and stakeholder engagement
The position is funded for one year through funding from two sources of funding with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine – Gulf Program. Application for additional funding will be expected and supported by Dr. Braswell. The student will be based at University of Florida, with fieldwork and engagement activities along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The home department of the candidate will be the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences in UF/IFAS (https://ffgs.ifas.ufl.edu/). Annual salary will be $60,000.
To be considered for this position, please contact Dr. Anna Braswell, University of Florida – [email protected] with the following materials: 1) A cover letter describing your research interests, experience, and career goals, 2) a current CV, and 3) contact information for at least two professional references. Application Deadline is May 8th for full consideration (review of applications will be ongoing).
Lab Expectations
The information below has been adapted from the websites of my colleagues and mentors including: Joanna Blaszczak, Margaret Zimmer, Richard Marinos, and Emily Bernhardt.
I also highly recommend giving Emily Bernhardt's open letter to prospective students a read. Graduate school in the natural sciences is not easy, does not make you rich, and the job market is hard. So knowing your motivating reasons for going to grad school is essential for success.
Mission Statement
The mission of our lab is to produce outstanding research in the coastal sciences while preparing lab members for diverse careers including research, teaching, management, extension, and environmental policy. We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive and stimulating intellectual environment that allows people from diverse backgrounds and with varied career aims to succeed. We are committed to fostering a lab community that values an inclusive, respectful, happy, and supportive environment in all aspects of our work as scientists regardless of any member's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical ability, or socio-economic status
Dr. Braswell’s responsibilities as a graduate advisor:
Lab expectations for graduate students in the Braswell Lab:
I also highly recommend giving Emily Bernhardt's open letter to prospective students a read. Graduate school in the natural sciences is not easy, does not make you rich, and the job market is hard. So knowing your motivating reasons for going to grad school is essential for success.
Mission Statement
The mission of our lab is to produce outstanding research in the coastal sciences while preparing lab members for diverse careers including research, teaching, management, extension, and environmental policy. We aim to create a welcoming, inclusive and stimulating intellectual environment that allows people from diverse backgrounds and with varied career aims to succeed. We are committed to fostering a lab community that values an inclusive, respectful, happy, and supportive environment in all aspects of our work as scientists regardless of any member's race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender-identity, physical ability, or socio-economic status
Dr. Braswell’s responsibilities as a graduate advisor:
- Work collaboratively with students to identify, design and address research questions and objectives through a thesis or dissertation project.
- Provide financial support throughout graduate school, including travel support for at least one conference a year when resources are available.
- Discuss future career goals and work to towards career goals (to the best of my ability). Connect students to other resources and networks to foster understanding of the job landscape in and outside of academia.
- Hold regular lab meetings and foster a collaborative and supportive lab group for feedback, professional development, skills training, and science discussions (theory, diversity, etc.).
- Provide one on one weekly or bi-monthly meetings to discuss progress and plans during all stages of graduate career.
- Solicit and be open to feedback. Listen to concerns, and lab conflicts. Work to resolve all issues through clear communication.
- Be flexible during difficult times (including but not limited to mental health, family emergencies and sickness).
- Provide feedback on manuscript drafts and proposals within two weeks (with exceptions for field work or travel).
Lab expectations for graduate students in the Braswell Lab:
- Be open and eager to learn and work collaboratively.
- Be willing to engage with all members of the lab in an open, respectful, flexible and professional manner.
- Maintain a posture of zero tolerance for harassment and violence against any member of the community.
- Take ownership of your professional development and communicate your expectations for yourself and your working relationships honestly and often.
- Participate actively in lab meetings and departmental events (i.e. FAS Seminar).
- Follow through on weekly meetings and short-term goals and plans.
- Apply for outside funding with assistance from lab. This exercise is important both inside and outside academia to future employers and is an imperative skill to learn.
- Conduct rigorous and serious science. Maintain an “open science” model for all data, code and deliverables when possible.
- At the minimum, submit at least one manuscript before your thesis or dissertation defense (does not need to be accepted; preferable two manuscripts or more for PhD students). The lab and PI will work closely throughout your tenure to make sure this is an attainable goal.
- Conduct yourself always in a safe manner. Safety in the laboratory and field is a matter of professional integrity and should be the foremost concern in any undertaking. No experiment is worth one’s health. Similarly, no lab member should risk the health of others by coming to work when sick.
- Treat your work as a full-time job, but one that may require less or more than 40h/wk, depending on where one is in their path.
- Put your physical health, mental health and family first. Try your best to develop a healthy work-life balance so that you can enjoy doing research and not burn out. There are times when this is not possible, but make sure to take of yourself and communicate your those needs.
Degree Programs at the University of Florida
School of Forest Resources and Conservation:
The SFRC’s program in Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences conducts research, teaching, and extension programs in four broad areas:
Graduate studies in the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program emphasizes the needs and interests of individual students. Graduate students work closely with their faculty advisers to develop comprehensive programs of study. Admission to graduate study is based on the individual merits and interests of the applicant, fulfillment of the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, and acceptance by a faculty adviser.
School of Natural Resources and Environment
https://snre.ifas.ufl.edu/
The SFRC’s program in Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences conducts research, teaching, and extension programs in four broad areas:
- Sustainable fisheries
- Aquaculture
- Aquatic animal health
- Conservation and management of aquatic environments
Graduate studies in the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program emphasizes the needs and interests of individual students. Graduate students work closely with their faculty advisers to develop comprehensive programs of study. Admission to graduate study is based on the individual merits and interests of the applicant, fulfillment of the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, and acceptance by a faculty adviser.
School of Natural Resources and Environment
https://snre.ifas.ufl.edu/
