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The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UC Irvine invites applications for the position of Crystal Cove Postdoctoral Fellow for Environmental Engineering Research and Pedagogy. The time commitment for this position is 30% pedagogical development and 70% research in the area of coastal and environmental engineering.

Managing the coastline for resilience and sustainability is crucial to California’s future. A healthy coastline is vital to the state economy, the well-being of residents, ocean recreation, protection of critical infrastructure from storms, and the integrity of coastal ecosystems. However, decades of urban and coastal development have fundamentally altered the supply of sand to the coast, and the distribution of sand movement along the coast, which in combination with climate change is now accelerating the rate of beach loss and coastal erosion. Moreover, future efforts to stabilize the coastline must be carefully examined to understand its potential feedback on the coastal environment and opportunities to maximize beneficial responses.

The Crystal Cove Environmental Engineering Initiative in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering aims to advance the frontiers of research and develop pedagogy to create the science, technologies and workforce needed in California to respond to the growing number of threats to the coast, in particular coastal erosion and beach loss but also other emerging and long-term threats.

The Henry Samueli School of Engineering offers an exceptional interdisciplinary environment for coastal and environmental engineering research and pedagogical development, with links to physical sciences, social sciences, education and policy programs. The Crystal Cove Fellow position will enable an early career scholar the opportunity to pursue timely and impactful research, innovate with engineering education, and build professional networks for coastal management and education across California. Research frontiers include the integration of observations (e.g. in situ and remote sensing data) and models to improve understanding of the drivers of coastal erosion and the ability to predict how the coastal environment (e.g., beaches, waves, water quality, ecosystems) respond to interventions such as sand replenishment, the use of nature-based processes, and coastal structures such as submerged breakwaters and groins. The Crystal Cove Fellow will coordinate engineering research between the Crystal Cove Conservancy, Crystal Cove State Park, and UCI, identifying opportunities for research projects that address park needs and support the growth of educational programs. The Fellow will support UCI in piloting undergraduate and graduate coursework linked to engineering research at Crystal Cove State Park. The Fellow will also work collaboratively with Crystal Cove Conservancy staff to develop recommendations and priorities for environmental engineering education programs for K-12 students and support the piloting of those programs at the park.

The position requires a Ph.D. degree civil and environmental engineering or a closely related field with expertise in coastal dynamics. Areas of specific interest include coastal morphodynamics, remote sensing of coastal systems (e.g., UAS, aerial, satellite), coastal flooding and erosion risks, coastal ocean modeling, sediment transport, beach nourishment and coastal engineering. The preferred candidate should have teaching experience in engineering programs (e.g., teaching assistant or lecturer) including experience evaluating teaching effectiveness and making course/program improvements. Hands-on learning experience including the ability to design an experiment, collect and analyze data, and interpret results.

The postdoctoral scholar will work with Professor Brett Sanders and Dean Magnus Egerstedt. Initial appointment will be for a 24-month period, renewable subject to performance and funding availability. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, publications, and contact information for three references. Apply by submitting your application to our online RECRUIT system at:

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being up-to-date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.