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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Research Associate III - Coastal Hazards Modeling & GIS - **Company:** University of Rhode Island - **Location:** Kingston, NY, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $70,000.0 - $80,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Geographic Information Systems, Artificial Intelligence, ArcGIS (Software), Spreadsheets, Data Visualization, Decision Support Systems, Desktop Computing, Linux, Text Processing, GIS Applications, Job Scheduling, Systems Development Life Cycle, Azure Machine Learning, Web Applications, Jupyter Notebook, Esri GIS (Software), Scripting, High Performance Computing, Information Technology, Real Time Data, Data Management, Software Version Control, Data Pipelines - **Published:** September 3, 2026 - **Apply:** https://jobs.uri.edu/postings/17023/pre_apply ## About the Role 1. Master's degree in GIS, engineering, oceanography, environmental science, geosciences, computer science, or a closely related field. 2. Three or more years of professional experience in GIS or a related field. 3. Advanced knowledge of the Esri ArcGIS platform, including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online or Enterprise environments. 4. Demonstrated experience with Esri map series tools, model builder, coding or scripting in Python, in support of GIS or modeling workflows. 5. Experience deploying model outputs through web-based or interactive visualization tools. 6. Strong analytical, organizational, and written and oral communication skills. Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED: 1. Experience using Jupyter Notebook and/or Linux-based HPC environments, including job scheduling, scripting, and running large-scale environmental models. 2. Demonstrated experience with compound flooding models integrating hydrologic, hydraulic, and coastal processes (e.g., HEC-HMS/RAS, ADCIRC/SWAN). 3. Experience developing interactive dashboards, web-based GIS applications, and automated data pipelines. 4. Experience contributing to grant proposals or technical narratives for funded research projects. 5. Experience with or interest in applying AI or machine learning tools to environmental modeling or geospatial decision-support applications. 6. Strong interest in natural hazards resilience and its application to planning, emergency management, and public decision-making. ## Description The Research Associate III will provide advanced technical support for natural hazards decision support tools at the University of Rhode Island. URI has dedicated significant expertise and resources to develop a suite of tools, including the Coastal Hazards Analysis, Modeling and Prediction system (CHAMP), STORMTOOLS, and MyCoast: Rhode Island, which play key roles in addressing storm risks and predicting the impacts of sea level rise and increasing wind and precipitation. CHAMP is an interdisciplinary system developed and maintained by a team of 10-15 researchers and staff spanning Marine Affairs, Ocean Engineering, Oceanography, and RI Sea Grant. The system is in active operational use at the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and supports ongoing projects with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. This position will support applied coastal hazards research that leverages numerical storm and compound flood modeling (rainfall-driven and wind-driven) and geospatial decision-support systems to advance the goals of the Rhode Island Natural Hazards Collaborative, and will serve as the operational and technical lead for CHAMP. The CHAMP team is actively exploring opportunities to integrate AI and machine learning tools into system development, operations, and decision-support products. Candidates with relevant experience or interest in this area are encouraged to discuss it in their application materials., Under the supervision of Austin Becker, Principal Investigator in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, the Research Associate III will lead the ongoing operation of coastal storm models and application of geospatial information systems. The position focuses on developing and transitioning science-based modeling and GIS tools into reliable, user-focused operational decision-support products for planning, management, and public communication, with primary emphasis on the Coastal Hazards Analysis, Modeling, and Prediction System (see www.RICHAMP.org). Although work will begin with operating and maintaining existing systems, there is wide opportunity for improvement and innovation, even using alternatives to Esri systems., * Operate existing applied workflows and maintain dashboards during initial work period. * Develop, maintain, and enhance advanced GIS products, including interactive dashboards, spatial analysis tools, and map-based decision-support products. * Use GIS tools to acquire, process, and manage hydrological and land-use datasets in support of environmental and flood modeling applications. * Produce GIS-based risk and vulnerability reports to support long-term planning, research, and stakeholder needs. * Design, implement, and manage GIS systems that support tiered user access and varying security and permission levels. * Run and translate model outputs into accessible, user-driven GIS products for planners, emergency managers, researchers, and the public. * Coordinate with Environmental Data Center staff to support data management, system performance, hosting, and long-term reliability of GIS infrastructure. * Support real-time ADCIRC model deployment during storm events, including hurricanes and nor'easters. This requires availability on short notice, including during evenings, weekends, and vacation periods, and is a core expectation of the position. * Contribute to grant writing and proposal development in support of funded projects, including identifying funding opportunities and assisting with technical narratives. * Contribute to outreach products, briefings, and presentations associated with the RI Natural Hazards Tools Collaborative. * Collaborate with investigators and researchers to integrate modeling outputs with observational data, including real-time data streams where appropriate. * Assist in the preparation of technical documentation, reports, peer-reviewed papers, and modeling-related deliverables for funded projects. The following responsibilities may become a significant component of the role depending on the candidate's background. Candidates with experience in numerical coastal or inland flood modeling are strongly encouraged to apply. * Work with the modeling team to develop, implement, and maintain numerical inland and coastal storm models, with emphasis on GIS-based HEC systems (HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS) and ADCIRC/SWAN and related hydrological and hydrodynamic modeling frameworks. * Support model setup, execution, calibration, validation, and post-processing for applied inland and coastal hazards research and decision support. * Lead operational workflows for CHAMP modeling systems, including documentation, version control, and continuity planning. OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Perform additional duties as required. LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT: Computers, printers; geographic information system (GIS), word processing, data management, spreadsheet software. 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