Abhijith Raj
Project Scientist | Oceanographer
I am a sea-going oceanographer with over five years of expertise in air-sea interaction research, dedicated to advancing our understanding of the ocean’s role in shaping regional weather and global climate dynamics. My work integrates high-resolution in-situ observations with advanced numerical modeling to bridge observational and modeling approaches, delivering insights that enhance the accuracy of weather and climate predictions.
Experience
Sep 2024
Present
Present
Project Scientist I
Ocean Observation Networks (OON), INCOIS- Contributing to design, planning, deployment and data collection using advanced Eddy-Covariance Flux Systems on research vessels.
- Developed MATLAB-based scripts for data processing and quality control of INCOIS-FRS data.
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to integrate ocean observation data into wave models.
Sep 2021
Sep 2024
Sep 2024
Senior Research Fellow
Ocean Observation Networks (OON), INCOIS- Data processing, analysis, and manuscript preparation for 2 peer-reviewed publications.
- Managed the maintenance of oceanographic instruments, INCOIS-FRS.
- Contributed significantly to the parameterization and optimization of the WAVEWATCH III model for regional scales.
Sep 2019
Sep 2021
Sep 2021
Junior Research Fellow
Ocean Observation Networks (OON), INCOIS- Participated in 2 scientific cruises, assisting in the collection and preliminary analysis of oceanographic data.
- Collaborated in setup and validation of wind input parameterizations in WAVEWATCH III model.
Sea-Going Experiences
- ORV Sagar Nidhi (SN-178), Arabian Sea Scientific Cruise Jun 2023
- CRV Sagar Tara (ST-26), Bay of Bengal Scientific Cruise Feb 2022
- ORV Sagar Nidhi (SN-137), Arabian Sea Scientific Cruise Jan 2019
Education
2020-Present
Ph.D. Oceanography
KUFOS-INCOIS Joint Research Centre, Hyderabad, India
2017-2019
M.Sc. Oceanography
Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India
2013-2016
B.Sc. Physics
University of Calicut, Calicut, India
2013
Diploma in Computer Applications
Centre for Development of Imaging Technology, Kerala, India
Trainings & Workshops
- Moored ADCP Data Processing using PyADPS Software, ITCOO Training Course Jan 2025
- Ocean Data Management 2024, UNESCO/IOC Project Office for IODE Training Course Feb 2024
- DCFS data processing using INCOIS Flux mooring data, James B Edson (WHOI) at INCOIS Hands-on Training Sep 2021
- ECFS Installation and data collection, Tridel Technologies at INCOIS Training Jan 2021
- Earth System Sciences, IITM Pune Induction Training Sep–Dec 2019
- Satellite Meteorology, SAC-ISRO Training Mar 2018
- Monsoons in the Changing Climate, CUSAT National Workshop 2018
- Statistical Analysis & Computational Tools in Ocean Data Processing, CUSAT National Workshop 2018
Technical Skills
Instruments
Eddy Covariance System, CTD/uCTD, VMP, LADCP, Radiosonde
Programming
Fortran, C, Python, MATLAB, Shell scripting
Numerical Models
WAVEWATCH-III
Data Tools
Ferret, PyADPS, Ocean Data View
Publications & Presentations
Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Praveen Kumar, B., Raj, A., et al. (2025). INCOIS air-sea flux reference system onboard ORV Sagar Nidhi. Frontiers in Marine Science. DOI
- Raj, A., Praveen Kumar, B., et al. (2024). Turbulent characteristics of momentum flux in the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Scientific Reports. DOI
- Raj, A., Praveen Kumar, B., et al. (2023). Assessment of the forecasting potential of WAVEWATCH III model. Journal of Earth System Science. DOI
- Sreejith, M., Remya, P. G., Praveen Kumar, B., Raj, A., et al. (2022). Exploring the impact of Southern Ocean sea ice on the Indian Ocean swells. Scientific Reports. DOI
- Raj, A., B. Praveen Kumar, et al. Wind-Stress Misalignment in the Presence of Swells in the Bay of Bengal (Manuscript under review).
Presentations
- Ocean Society of India Conference (OSICON), India Poster Presentation Feb 2025
- IOPredict-2024 workshop, ITCOO, India Oral Presentation Dec 2024
- WISE: Wind Waves in Earth System meeting, France Poster Presentation Apr 2024
- AGU-Fall Meeting, USA Poster Presentation Dec 2023
- Li-Cor Connect 2023 Conference and Workshop, USA Poster Presentation Nov 2023
- Ocean Society of India Conference (OSICON), India Poster Presentation Mar 2023
- AGU Fall Meeting, Virtual, Online Oral Presentation Dec 2022
- Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM 2022), Virtual, Online Oral Presentation Mar 2022
- International Indian Ocean Science Conference (IIOSC), Virtual, Online Oral Presentation Mar 2022
- Ocean Society of India Conference (OSICON), Virtual, Online Oral Presentation Aug 2021
Accomplishments
Honors & Awards
- 2025 POGO-SCOR Fellowship at WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
- 2023 Jerome M. Paros Scholarship in Geophysical Instrumentation, American Geophysical Union
- 2019-24 MRFP Research Fellowship, Ministry of Earth Science, India
- 2019 ASPIRE Scholarship, Directorate of Collegiate Education, Govt. of Kerala
Service & Engagement
Get In Touch
Feel free to reach out. I'm always open to discussing new projects, creative ideas, or opportunities