Staff Careers

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Research Associate III with a background and strong interest in environmental and water resources modeling. The successful candidate will support PIs in projects related to drought assessment and watershed scale water resource availability. The candidate is expected to be proficient in handling large scale earth observations datasets (modeled and satellite) and making hydrologic simulations. The candidate will be responsible for calibrating, validating as well as developing new capabilities within these hydrological models, and contributing to answering key scientific questions about the environment and water resources. The role also involves assisting in writing peer-reviewed research articles and developing proposals to secure funding for ongoing and future research projects.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in environmental and water resources modeling. We are committed to diversity and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Duties / Responsibilities
Modeling:
o Execute and manage hydrology models, including but not limited to VIC, WRF-Hydro, SWAT, etc.
o Develop and integrate new functionalities and capabilities within these models to address specific research questions.
o Conduct simulations and analyze model outputs to provide insights into environmental and water resource challenges.
o Utilizing large-scale model and/or satellite observations for drought/flash drought identification and onset/extent/intensity assessment.
Research and Analysis:
o Assist in designing and conducting research studies focused on environmental and water resources.
o Perform advanced data analysis using Python and other relevant tools to interpret model results and extract meaningful conclusions.
o Collaborate with other researchers and scientists to refine research methodologies and ensure accuracy in data interpretation.
Publication and Proposal Writing:
o Contribute to the writing and editing of peer-reviewed research articles for publication in scientific journals.
o Assist in the development of research proposals to secure funding from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other potential sponsors.
Technical Support and Collaboration:
o Provide technical support and training to team members and collaborators in using models and interpreting results.
o Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including hydrologists, agronomists, and environmental scientists, to achieve project objectives.
o Maintain and update documentation for models, code, and research methodologies.

***Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references.***

● Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Agronomy, Atmospheric Science, or related field).
● 2 - 3.5 years of full-time verifiable work experience.
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
● Proven experience with process-based hydrological/routing models such as VIC, WRF-Hydro, SWAT, etc.
● Strong background in running models on Linux-based operating systems.
● Demonstrated ability to develop and enhance modeling capabilities for specific research objectives.
● Proficiency in Python for data analysis and model development.
● Familiarity with scripting, automation, and optimization of model workflows.
● Experience with data management, including handling large datasets and integrating various data sources.
● Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
● Detail-oriented with a commitment to producing high-quality, accurate work.
● Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced research environment.

● Master’s degree preferably in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Agronomy, Atmospheric Science, or related field.
● Experience in writing scientific papers and research proposals is highly desirable.

$52,216 - $64,985