Estimating Seafloor Geoacoustic and Geotechnical Properties Through Novel UUV-Based and Expendable Sensing Technologies
Postdoctoral research to develop and apply novel UUV and expendable sensing technologies for advanced remote seafloor property characterization at the Naval Research Laboratory.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2026 (Application) | May 2026 (Notification)
Funding Amounts: $88,621 annual stipend + $3,000 travel; relocation and health insurance benefits; 1–3 year term
Summary: Postdoctoral research to develop and apply novel UUV and expendable sensing technologies for advanced remote seafloor property characterization at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Key Information: U.S. citizens and permanent residents eligible; hosted at NRL Stennis Space Center, MS.
Description
This postdoctoral research opportunity, hosted by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Mississippi, seeks to advance the remote characterization of seafloor geoacoustic and geotechnical properties. The project focuses on developing and applying innovative techniques, including the use of micro-unmanned underwater vehicles (micro-UUVs) for high-resolution seabed sampling and the analysis of expendable bathythermograph (XBT) thermal decay data to infer sediment characteristics. The research aims to integrate these novel data streams with existing datasets to produce comprehensive seafloor property maps, addressing limitations of traditional, labor-intensive sampling methods.
Key research tasks may include:
- Relating penetrometer and UUV data to sediment properties (e.g., shear strength, density, grain size).
- Developing or improving theoretical models for interpreting UUV and XBT data.
- Integrating multiple remote sensing datasets (e.g., backscatter imagery, sub-bottom profiling) for enhanced mapping.
- Applying advanced data processing and geostatistical techniques.
The successful applicant will conduct independent research, publish and present findings, collaborate within and outside the group, and contribute to new research proposals.
