Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $54,000 - Midpoint: $67,500 (Salaried E8)
Department/Organization: 750501 - Alabama Water Institute (AWI)
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Postdoctoral Fellow provides for an internship and continuation of scholarly activity and research after achieving the PhD or other doctoral degree under the direction of a senior faculty member who serves as a mentor for the postdoctoral appointee.
Additional Department Summary: The Alabama Water Institute (AWI) at The University of Alabama is a premier regional hub for water-related research that brings together university researchers, students, and staff across three research programs: the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), the Global Water Security Center, and the CONSERVE Research Group. CONSERVE is a collection of cross-disciplinary experts in STEM fields conducting applied, community-oriented research to address various biological and watershed management challenges.
This position collaborates with a research team and USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) partners on the CONSERVE Innovative Water Systems Program, a Congressionally directed cooperative agreement to improve agricultural water use and watershed health in West Alabama, the Southeast, and the Lower Mississippi River Basin. Develops statistical, geospatial, and AI-assisted models to characterize aquifer recharge, preferential flow pathways, and contaminant transport; supports groundwater modeling and decision-support tools; and integrates geophysical and environmental data to evaluate nature-based approaches to runoff control and soil moisture retention. Develops manuscripts for data generated in the projects and works with research team to submit for refereed journal publications.
Successful candidates will hold a PhD in a closely aligned discipline to the proposed project and have a strong record of achievement in the noted research areas. Initial appointment will be for one year. Renewal will be contingent upon availability of funds and performance up to three years.
Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. hydrology, hydrogeology, civil or environmental engineering, geography/geospatial science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
Candidates will need to have completed their Ph.D. or have it completed by the start of employment.
Must have valid U.S. driver's license. Must be at least 19 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report that is in compliance with University policies. Applicants under the age of 21 will have some driving restrictions.
Skills and Knowledge: Skills in statistical modeling of large, heterogeneous environmental datasets and integration of spatial, temporal, and environmental data. Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following: spatial statistics and geostatistics; Bayesian, mixed-effects, or time-series modeling; machine learning; uncertainty quantification; groundwater or hydrologic modeling; and GIS/remote sensing. Proficiency in R and/or Python and experience working in a high-performance computing environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate effective collaboration with academics, federal scientists, community members, stakeholders, and students. Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. Demonstrated record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with MODFLOW (e.g., FloPy), contaminant transport models (e.g., MT3D), or other numerical groundwater models. Experience with geophysical data such as ground-penetrating radar, digital twin or decision-support system development, and agricultural water management in the Southeast or Lower Mississippi Valley. Experience with translational science activities.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
