Postdoctoral Researcher – Water Sustainability – The University of Kansas is seeking a postdoctoral researcher with a passion for water sustainability and socio-environmental research to contribute to the USDA-funded Sustainable Adaptations to the Future Environment of Kansas’s Agriculture and Water (SAFE KAW) project. The ideal candidate will have strong technical skills for working with and coupling environmental and social models, interest in advancing human-water systems theory, and a desire to engage with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and stakeholders.
Designation: Postdoctoral Researcher
Research Area: Water Sustainability and Socio-Environmental Research
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Ph.D. in a discipline related to water, environmental, and/or agricultural science or engineering, conferred no more than 4 years prior to the start date.
- Experience working with statistical or numerical hydrologic, hydrogeologic, and/or biogeochemical models, process-based crop models such as DSSAT, or regression, machine-learning, or econometric analysis techniques.
- Coding experience in Python or a comparable language (R, MATLAB, Julia, etc.).
- Experience working both independently and collaboratively.
- Strong communication skills as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications/conference presentations.
| Qualifications | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Education | Ph.D. in a discipline related to water, environmental, and/or agricultural science or engineering, conferred no more than 4 years prior to the start date |
| Experience | Working with statistical or numerical hydrologic, hydrogeologic, and/or biogeochemical models; process-based crop models such as DSSAT; regression, machine-learning, or econometric analysis techniques |
| Skills | Coding experience in Python or a comparable language (R, MATLAB, Julia, etc.); working both independently and collaboratively; strong communication skills as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications/conference presentations |
Preferred Qualifications
| Qualifications | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Experience | Working with stakeholders on issues related to water management; coupling interdisciplinary models and/or high-performance computing; working with optimization methods; policy analysis techniques; familiarity with irrigated agricultural landscapes |
Job Description: The postdoctoral researcher will work on-site at the Lawrence, KS campus and will be responsible for the following:
- Developing coupled socio-environmental modeling and analysis tools.
- Using modeling tools and data analysis to conduct socio-environmental research.
- Disseminating findings through conference presentations, publications, stakeholder workshops, and open-source code.
- Working with and mentoring project graduate students and interns.
- Service to the discipline and institution through participation in activities that may include collaboration with other KGS researchers, scientific peer review, serving professional societies, and public outreach and education.
| Designation | Research Area | Location | Starting Date | Salary | Employment Status | Fringe Benefits | Last Date for Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Researcher | Water Sustainability and Socio-Environmental Research | Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas | July 2023-January 2024 (flexible) | $55,000 annually | 3-year funded position | University staff privileges, paid vacation and sick leave, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement program options | March 15th and continue until position is filled |
| Job Responsibilities | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Develop coupled socio-environmental modeling and analysis tools | 30% |
| Use modeling tools and data analysis to conduct socio-environmental research | 35% |
| Disseminate findings through conference presentations, publications, stakeholder workshops, and open-source code | 15% |
| Work with and mentor project graduate students and interns | 10% |
| Service to the discipline and institution through participation in activities that may include collaboration with other KGS researchers, scientific peer review, serving professional societies, and public outreach and education | 10% |
How to Apply: Interested candidates should upload the following information:
- Cover letter (max 2 pages) including how you meet the required and preferred qualifications, your career goals, and why you are excited about the position.
- Full CV.
- Contact information for 3 references (relationship, email address and phone number).
- College and graduate school transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable).
Last Date for Apply: Review of applications will begin March 15th and continue until the position is filled.
Salary, Employment Status, and Fringe Benefits: This position is funded for three years with an expected salary of $55,000 annually. Other benefits include university staff privileges; up to 176 hours of paid vacation earned per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, and nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day annually; group medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, and retirement program options. The initial appointment will be for one year with the expectation of renewal assuming satisfactory performance.
- Advertised Salary Range: $55,000 annually
- Application Review Begins: March 15th, 2023
- Anticipated Start Date: June 5th, 2023
- Limited Term End Date: June 30th, 2026
- FTE: 1.0
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- FLSA Status: Professional
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Work Schedule: 8-5, M-F
- Job Family: Research-KUL
- Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
Contact Information to Applicants: For further information about research aspects of the position, contact Sam Zipper at samzipper@ku.edu. For further information about other aspects of the position, contact Annette Delaney at adelaney@ku.edu or (785) 864-2152.
