USNH Employees should apply within Workday through the Jobs Hub app The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (CCOM) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to support research and development in nautical chart symbology, chart compilation, and visualization of data overlays within decision-support systems for marine navigation. The position focuses primarily on the
design, prototyping, and evaluation of symbology for maritime data products, with particular emphasis on layered displays, perceptual evaluation, and robustness under real operational conditions. The successful candidate will work at the intersection of visual perception, digital cartography, and maritime navigation systems, addressing challenges that are becoming increasingly important as new generation maritime
products and services continue to expand. The work has direct relevance to international standards development and operational navigation systems and offers opportunities for scholarly publication and community impact. The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, graduate students, and external partners (including NOAA and International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) working groups) to investigate how
symbology behaves under multiple overlapping data layers, varying background conditions, and operational display constraints, and to translate these findings into practical tools, guidelines, and prototype implementations. Furthermore, the candidate may contribute to broader research efforts, including digital chart compilation workflows, geospatial data processing, and related research initiatives within CCOM.
Duties/Responsibilities Cartographic Research & Analysis (50%) Conduct research on color and symbology behavior in layered electronic chart displays, including transparency, blending, and perceptual separability. Develop and evaluate methods for perceptually grounded symbology selection, including simulation-based assessment across multiple background contexts. Design and execute evaluation studies (analytical and/or
user-centered) to assess interpretability, robustness, and usability of proposed symbology. Contribute to related research in nautical cartography, including data generalization and automated chart compilation workflows. Tool & Prototype Development (25%) Design and implement prototype tools (e.g., for color evaluation, blending analysis, or symbology testing). Standards & Collaboration (15%) Contribute to standards
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