Convergentresearch

Postdoctoral Research Scientist, OAE Process-Model Testbed

Boulder, CO · Full-time

Sponsorship not specified$83k-$95kDetected 41 days ago

PythonAgentic AIAccountingResearchCommunicationCollaboration

About the role

The processes identified by the 1D testbed will enable increasing skill and confidence in estimates of total alkalinity delivery into the regional-scale water column, and act as a tool for uncertainty characterization.
This project addresses a fundamental bottleneck in OAE science: the mismatch between the complexity of the relevant biogeochemical processes and the computational cost of resolving them in full 3D ocean simulations.
The 1D testbed eliminates that mismatch, enabling rapid parameter sweeps, systematic perturbed-parameter ensembles, and clean comparison against laboratory and field datasets.

Design and implement a one-dimensional OAE process-model testbed within C-Star, using a lightweight physical solution (idealized mixing, turbulence, lateral flows) that allows rapid model prototyping and iteration.
Develop a generalized representation of explicitly sinking particulate material within the MARBL biogeochemical model, including parameterizations of mineral dissolution (e.g., olivine, calcite), precipitation kinetics, and particle sinking velocities.
Develop and calibrate representations of particles generated in situ by electrochemical and mineral alkalinity addition, in collaboration with industry and other research partners.
Validate parameterizations against existing empirical datasets from laboratory experiments and field deployments, in close collaboration with Ebb Carbon, Planetary Technologies and other partners.
Implement all process formulations within the ROMS-MARBL framework so that validated parameterizations are immediately portable to three-dimensional C-Star configurations.
Develop tutorials and demonstrations for how to use the testbed to develop and improve OAE-related parameterizations-supporting the broader research community's ability to contribute process advances.
Maintain active, substantive collaboration with Ebb Carbon, Planetary Technology, Isometric, and other partners to ensure model development is grounded in practical implementation and observational reality.

Familiarity with marine mineral dissolution/precipitation kinetics and/or particle dynamics.
Scientific software development proficiency in Python
experience working with biogeochemical model code (Python, Fortran, or Julia).
Develop and/or implement a simplified model of alkalinity cycling in seafloor sediments, characterizing the level of sediment process representation required for robust OAE simulation at regional scales.

Experience with MARBL or a comparable marine biogeochemistry library
familiarity with ROMS-MARBL coupling.
Prior research on OAE, mineral weathering and dissolution, mineral precipitation, or related alkalinity-modifying processes.
Laboratory or field experience with OAE experiments, tracer releases, or marine carbonate chemistry measurements.
Familiarity with Bayesian calibration methods, ensemble parameter estimation, or uncertainty quantification.
Interest in agentic AI applications for scientific model development and workflow automation.
This position is full-time, fixed-term (1 year, with possibility of renewal), subject to funding availability.

These capabilities are not CDR tools alone-they are the foundation for scalable ocean science.

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