Position Summary
The Institute of Water Research is seeking a qualified Research Associate to design, implement, and support field monitoring programs focused on soil, surface water, groundwater, and agricultural drainage. The selected candidate will install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot sensors and monitoring equipment; configure data loggers and telemetry systems; download and organize data; conduct quality assurance and quality control; and analyze and interpret monitoring datasets. Additional responsibilities may include field sample collection, development of monitoring protocols, documentation of metadata, coordination with landowners and project partners, and preparation of technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. Familiarity with laboratory analytical methods for soil and water samples is desirable but not required.
Initial appointment is for one year from the date of hire, with the possibility of extension for up to two years, contingent upon funding availability and satisfactory performance.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
Professional Misconduct Review
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Ph.D. degree in Agriculture, Biological, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Soil Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
Minimum Requirements
- Greater than one year of relevant and progressively responsible experience in field monitoring of soil, surface water, groundwater, agricultural drainage, or related environmental systems
- Demonstrated experience selecting, installing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting field sensors, data loggers, telemetry systems, and related monitoring equipment
- Experience downloading, organizing, documenting, quality-controlling, analyzing, and interpreting time-series or spatial monitoring data using Python, R, MATLAB, or comparable analytical tools
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in field settings, and fluency in English
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with monitoring soil moisture, groundwater levels, surface-water flow, drainage discharge, precipitation, or water-quality parameters
- Experience with geographic information systems, relational databases, automated data workflows, or environmental data visualization
- Familiarity with soil and water sampling, laboratory analytical methods, chain-of-custody procedures, and field or laboratory quality assurance and quality control; laboratory experience is desirable but not required
- Experience preparing technical reports or peer-reviewed publications and coordinating field activities with research teams, landowners, agencies, or other project partners
Required Application Materials
Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for at least three references.
Special Instructions
For questions, please contact iwr@msu.edu. Applicants MUST submit their application through the MSU Careers portal.
Review of Applications Begins On
09/02/2026
Summary of Health Risks
Potential exposure to heat, cold, precipitation, uneven terrain, insects and ticks, soil, and surface water during field activities. Appropriate safety procedures, training, and personal protective equipment will be used.
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/iwr
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
