Research Scientist

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Research Staff 12-month

Job Category: Research Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA; Potomac Science Center as
needed

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa
sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and
experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university
vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use
Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid
driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final
candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and
successful completion of the review is a condition of
employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for
employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to
review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information (
English /
Spanish ) before applying.

About the Department:

The Mason Flood Hazards Research Lab (Dewberry Department of Civil,
Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering) advances the science
and engineering practice of flood risk reduction. The lab combines
numerical modeling, field observation, and geospatial analysis to
study coastal, riverine, and urban flooding, and works directly
with communities, local governments, and agencies to turn research
into adaptation. Current sponsored work spans the Chesapeake Bay
region, Virginia, and Arctic Alaska.

About the Position:

The Research Scientist will conduct flood and coastal hazards
research across the lab's sponsored projects, combining numerical
modeling, geospatial analysis, and field monitoring with
community-engaged research. Assignments include Arctic coastal
hazard modeling and coastal protection co-produced with Alaska
Native communities (NOAA); stormwater and flood risk studies for
Virginia towns (Virginia CFPF, with Crater PDC); flood resilience
work with Maryland communities in the Chesapeake Bay; and the Mason
Living Lab sensor network.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, calibrate, validate, and apply numerical models of

flood and coastal hazards: coupled storm surge and wave models
(e.g., ADCIRC+SWAN) for Arctic Alaska coasts, including sea ice,
erosion, and sea-level rise scenarios; and hydrologic/hydraulic and
2D flood models of stormwater systems for Virginia and Chesapeake
Bay communities;

• Analyze results to quantify exposure and the performance of

engineered, green, and nature-based solutions;

• Conduct community-engaged research: co-produce flood and

erosion adaptation strategies with Alaska Native communities and
Tribal partners, and with local governments and residents in
Virginia and Maryland;

• Plan and facilitate workshops and stakeholder meetings;

communicate results to non-technical audiences;

• Build and maintain geospatial datasets for flood hazard

analysis (e.g., stormwater asset inventories, exposure maps, web
maps);

• Plan, deploy, maintain, and process data from environmental

sensors (water level, waves, rainfall) for the Mason Living Lab and
field campaigns in the Chesapeake Bay and Alaska;

• Prepare peer-reviewed publications, sponsor reports, and

project deliverables; present at conferences;

• Contribute to proposal development;
• Guide the day-to-day research of graduate and undergraduate

students; and

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in civil, coastal, or environmental engineering;

geography; earth, ocean, or atmospheric science; or related
field;

• Demonstrated research experience in numerical modeling or

geospatial analysis of flood hazards, as evidenced by doctoral
research or peer-reviewed publications;

• Knowledge of coastal, riverine, and/or urban flood processes

and the numerical models used to simulate them;

• Skill in GIS and scientific programming (e.g., Python,

MATLAB);

• Ability to conduct independent research and publish

peer-reviewed work;

• Ability to communicate technical results to community, agency,

and sponsor audiences;

• Ability to perform field work at remote coastal sites;
• Continuation subject to availability of sponsored funding;
• Travel to field sites, including remote communities in Alaska

and the Chesapeake Bay region; field work may involve small boats
and variable weather; and

• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor

vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for
operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use
Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/
. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the
driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all
candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable
review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Flood resilience work with Chesapeake Bay communities

(MD/VA);

• Community-engaged research with Alaska Native or other

Indigenous communities;

• Experience with Arctic coastal hazard modeling;
• Experience with operating field sensor networks;
• Publications, proposals, and student mentoring;
• Knowledge of Arctic coastal hazards and nature-based flood

solutions;

• Skill with surge-wave and stormwater H&H models on HPC

systems; and

• Ability to co-produce research with communities and local

governments.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Research
Scientist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/.
Complete and submit the online application to include three
professional references with contact information, and provide a
cover letter and CV for review.

Posting Open Date: October 20, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 3, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia’s
Technology Corridor

About the College:

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason
University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and
education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate
and graduate education, the CEC enrolled more than 11,000 students
in fall 2025. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and
doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation
offerings. Of its 314 full-time faculty, 107 are tenured, 59 are
tenure-track, 96 are term faculty, and 52 are research faculty. As
part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams
expended $83.7 million in sponsored research awards in the past
year and had projects with over $66.8 million in awards. The
college stands out for its leading research in areas such as
artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity
engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous
systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures,
computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing,
sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and
supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity
for faculty to work with other disciplines.

About the University and the Region:

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public
research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than
40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an
innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction
in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research
institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes
of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax,
Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington,
D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and
national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the
largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing
excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region
is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the
country and has an outstanding local public school system.

About the Future:

In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second
headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia
announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree
programs in computing. As a result, George Mason has committed to
accelerate its plans to grow its capacity in computing and emerging
technologies. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the
launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation—a university think
tank and incubator to serve the digital economy—and the expansion
of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse a
new 355,000 square foot building, opened to students, faculty, and
research teams. This net-zero facility houses the Institute for
Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, robotics and power
engineering labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include
retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These
initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new
investment by George Mason that will rapidly elevate the
university’s already leading national position in computing and
related areas.

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 research
university committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperous
world. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largest
and most diverse public research university in Virginia, offering
degree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,
along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment for
students, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. We
believe in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancing
our mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; and
we believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity of
origin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its
community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or
veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at
http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/