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Project Scientist in Watershed Hydrology and Carbon Transport

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Position description

The University of California, Merced is a dynamic new university campus in Merced, California. The University opened in September 2005 as the tenth campus of the University of California and the first American research university in the 21st century. In keeping with the mission of the University to provide teaching, research and public service of the highest quality, UC Merced offers research-centered and student-oriented educational opportunities at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels through three academic schools: Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences/Humanities/Arts.

We are searching for a Project Scientist to make significant and creative contributions to (a) develop and implement integrated watershed modeling approaches aimed at characterizing the age of water and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in response to changing climatic conditions, and (b) collaborate with a team of hydrologists, environmental engineers and limnologists to develop a sampling plan for DOC in mountain watersheds in California and potentially around the world.

The Project Scientist will engage in all aspects of study design and execution, including data acquisition; statistical analysis, modeling and interpretation of results; preparation of manuscripts, report, and proposal; and presentation of findings at conferences and outreach events. Other responsibilities extend to the occasional training of students and staff in the scientific method and specific modeling techniques. We aim to recruit an outstanding individual with the appropriate background/experience and creative energy to interact with our collaborators and work with minimal supervision. In the context of research, the candidate is expected to be familiar with mountain hydrology research, particularly in snow-dominated watersheds, and capable of leading authorship of scientific reports and journal articles.

A successful candidate should have a Ph.D. degree in Physics, Hydrologic Science, Chemical Engineering, Civil, Environmental, Mechanical Engineering, Geological Engineering or a related field prior to starting the position is required. The candidate is expected to be a highly self-motivated individual, with demonstrated ability to conduct scientific research independently. The candidate must have experience in running and troubleshooting complex environmental simulations codes (e.g., C++, Fortran), and in scripting using such tools as R, MatLab, and Python in the context of pre- and post-processing of model output. The candidate should be familiar with ESRI-based or other spatial/GIS software, and have experience and supporting publications in the scientific application of large scale watershed models (e.g., SWAT, PARFLOW, GSFLOW, etc.). Additional experience in reactive transport modeling is desirable.

Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter 2) curriculum vitae and 3) a list of three references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address.

Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales. Review of applications will begin immediately. Position is open until filled with a final closing date of June 30, 2018. Starting dates are negotiable.

The University of California, Merced is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, students and staff. The University is supportive of dual career couples.

Please contact Tom Harmon via email at tharmon@ucmerced.edu for additional information.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Job location

Merced, CA