Multiple Graduate Student Opportunities in Coastal Ocean Observation and Modeling at USM

Multiple Graduate Student Opportunities in Coastal Ocean Observation and Modeling at USM

The School of Ocean Science and Engineering at The University of Southern Mississippi invites applicants for graduate studies (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) in the Division of Marine Science (usm.edu/ocean-science-engineering/). Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on multidisciplinary projects involving comprehensive ocean observation and mapping, instrumentation development, and high-resolution ocean modeling to characterize the coastal waters of the Mississippi Sound and Bight. 

The observational component of these projects will entail gathering highly resolved bathymetric, meteorological, bio-optical, geochemical, tidal, and air-sea interface data sets.  This broad spectrum of measurements will be obtained through employment of autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, towed instrument packages, buoys, moorings, satellite and land-based remote sensing technologies. Interpretation of these data will leverage cutting edge analytical methods, data fusion platforms, and machine learning techniques. These observations will provide critical inputs for facilitating the further development of localized models that simulate and forecast the marine system’s physical, biogeochemical and ecological environment. The ocean modeling system will be applied to synthesize the field data toward advancing our understanding of coastal hydrodynamics, estuarine circulation and exchange processes, water quality and hypoxia, sediment transport and coastal morphodynamics. The broader motivation of these multidisciplinary projects is to address questions relating to coastal hazards, coastal restoration, coastal protection, living marine resources, fisheries sustainability, habitat suitability and climate change. Students on these projects will work with faculty and research staff with expertise in ocean engineering, hydrographic science, atmospheric science and marine optics, as well as interact with faculty with expertise in biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography. 

We seek dedicated and motivated students holding a B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in engineering, oceanography, marine science, hydrographic science, computer science or a related physical science field. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. Kemal Cambazoglu (kemal.cambazoglu@usm.edu) or Dr. Xiaodong Zhang (xiaodong.zhang@usm.edu) with questions. Application review will start immediately, and successful applicants may start as early as Fall 2020. Application details may be found at usm.edu/graduate-programs/marine-science.php. All DMS graduate assistants are supported with an annual resource package, including a tuition waiver and a stipend with benefits.

USM has been designated as the flagship university for Marine Science in the state of Mississippi and is an R1 Carnegie Research University – Highest Research Activity. Marine Science faculty and graduate programs are housed at Stennis Space Center, where the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Marine Science and the M.S. degree in Hydrographic Science are delivered. John C. Stennis Space Center is a federal city that boasts the world’s largest concentration of oceanographers and hydrographers. Marine Science faculty benefit from close working relationships with a number of on-site federal agencies, including the Naval Research Laboratory-Stennis Space Center, the Naval Oceanographic Office, the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, the USGS and NOAA Centers, such as the National Data Buoy Center and the National Centers for Environmental Information. Stennis is also in close proximity to the Port of Gulfport, which is the home port for USM’s R/V Point Sur and USM Marine Research Center, which features a state-of-the-art fabrication lab, testing tank, and laboratory space. Gulfport will be the future site of the Center for Ocean Enterprise and the home port of a new 199-ft UNOLS Regional Class Research Vessel (R/V Gilbert R. Mason).