If you are receiving FWS at FSU for the 2024-2025 academic year and are interested in web applications programming, you can obtain applied experience to enhance your resume or graduate school application at the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS). COAPS has openings for FWS-eligible undergraduate students to maintain and develop web pages and services to support dissemination of research results and datasets to researchers and the general public. Duties include (1) designing and developing new web pages, (2) updating content on HTML, PHP, and Joomla pages, (3) maintaining content in backend databases (primarily MySQL), and (4) developing database-to-web applications to display/serve the wide range of atmospheric and oceanic data and research products served by COAPS. This opportunity will provide the motivated undergraduate with an opportunity to develop and expand his or her web programming skills while supporting an operational research center.

Candidates should be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, scientific computing, computer engineering, or a related field and have a strong interest in the distribution of information via the World Wide Web. The successful candidate will have strong people skills and a working knowledge of HTML. Past experience with personal web pages, an interest in web page design, and the desire to acquire new web programming skills are essential. Familiarity with PHP, Python, CSS, Java script, and/or Joomla (or similar content management systems) is a plus. Other desired skills include a fundamental knowledge of relational databases. Familiarity with JavaScript, Linux shell scripting, and/or Git (or similar version control systems) is a plus, but not required. Candidates must be able to work within a team programming environment and to meet deadlines established by their supervisors. As a final note, we do not expect an undergraduate to come into the position with all the skills listed here, but we do expect them to be willing and capable of learning new programming skills under the direction of their coding mentors. These mentors will be either full time computer staff or advanced undergraduate students working for our center.

The positions will be filled for fall semseter 2024 (~10 hrs/wk depending on the candidate’s FWS funds) with a possible extension to spring semester 2025 based upon performance. The applicant must be able to work a regular schedule between 8 am and 5 pm (M-F) at our facility in Innovation Park. City and FSU bus services to/from campus are available.

Interested applicants should email their resume, unofficial transcripts, and contact details for three references to Mr. Shawn R. Smith (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Mr. Shawn R. Smith
Director, Marine Data Center
Center for Ocean Atmospheric Prediction Studies
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2741
Ph: (850) 644-6918
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COAPS/FSU is seeking applications from prospective graduate students with strong computational science backgrounds for studies in physical oceanography and ocean modeling. Students with either B.S or M.S degrees may apply. Applications from students from computationally intensive fields, such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Meteorology, and Engineering are particularly encouraged.

Students will pursue M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in physical oceanography from the FSU Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences while conducting innovative research in ocean modeling and forecasting at COAPS in collaboration with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. This unique opportunity provides students with course instruction from top faculty, state-of-the-art research facilities, and mentorship from some of the world’s foremost ocean modelers and forecasters. Though scientific computing and modeling will be central to the research program, students will have opportunities to gain experience in traditional oceanographic research methods through cruises, in situ and satellite data analysis, and laboratory methods.

Students will receive financial support covering tuition, annual stipend, health insurance subsidy, and funds to cover travel to work with scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory. As this opportunity involves access to U.S. Department of Defense facilities, applicants should be U.S. Citizens.

For more information, please contact Dr. Eric Chassignet at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FSU is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action Employer.

COAPS periodically has technical and administrative staff openings that are posted on this webpage. Please also check the FSU Employment and Recruitment Services website.