Associate Research Professor, Soil Physics

Desert Research Institute; Reno (NV); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, NV seeks an accomplished researcher to lead an externally funded program studying soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and land–atmosphere energy exchange across the arid West. The role emphasizes field measurements, network operation, and data integration with remotely sensed products.

Ideal candidates hold a Ph.D. with 7+ years of related experience, a track record of published work, and success in securing grants.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Soil Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience closely related to the duties of this position.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience in at least one approach to soil moisture measurement or modeling, groundwater recharge, or micrometeorological techniques.
• Experience designing, operating, or maintaining environmental monitoring networks.
• Track record of producing collaborative technical project reports and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated success writing competitive research grants and managing grants/contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead an externally funded research program focused on field measurement, network operation, and quantitative analysis of soil moisture, ET, and land–atmosphere energy exchange in Nevada and the arid West.
• Collaborate with DRI faculty and external partners on diverse environmental research projects.
• Develop and maintain environmental monitoring networks and data pipelines for automated processing and QA/QC.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and secure competitive grants to support the program.
• Mentor graduate students and early‑career staff and guide multidisciplinary teams across multiple projects.

Skills

soil physics

vadose zone hydrology

micrometeorology

environmental monitoring networks

Education

Ph.D. in Hydrology / Hydrogeology / Soil Science / Earth Science / Environmental Science

Tools

Data pipeline development

Job description

The Desert Research Institute's (DRI's) Division of Hydrologic Sciences (DHS) is seeking a qualified individual to join an interdisciplinary research organization at the forefront of advancing hydrologic and micrometeorological science in arid and semiarid environments. This individual will lead an externally funded research program focused on the field measurement, network operation, and quantitative analysis of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and land-atmosphere energy exchange across Nevada and the arid West. The successful candidate will have extensive expertise in soil physics, vadose zone hydrology, and micrometeorology. Experience integrating ground-based networks with remotely sensed or gridded soil moisture and ET products, and with scientific data pipeline development for automated processing and quality assurance, is strongly encouraged.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with other DRI faculty and outside partners who conduct a broad range of environmental research projects, including state and federal agencies engaged in water balance and drought monitoring. Priority consideration will be given to candidates with a sustained record of peer-reviewed publication, network or program leadership, and service to the broader soil moisture/ET measurement community. This position is based in Reno, NV, with the option for a hybrid/flexible work schedule and periodic travel to field sites and the Southern Nevada Science Center.

Required Experience/Education

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Soil Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience closely related to the duties of this position.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience in at least one approach to soil moisture measurement or modeling, groundwater recharge, or micrometeorological techniques.
• Experience designing, operating, or maintaining environmental monitoring networks.
• Track record of producing collaborative technical project reports and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated success writing competitive research grants and managing grants/contracts.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with numerical modeling of complex near-surface processes.
• Experience integrating ground-based measurements with remotely sensed or gridded soil moisture/ET data products.
• Demonstrated scientific software or data pipeline development experience for automated data processing and QA/QC.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career staff.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a complex program consisting of multidisciplinary team members of varying experience levels contributing to multiple projects
• Lead existing collaborative relationships with state or federal water resource agencies that could be extended in support of DRI's mission.

Conditions of Employment

• Due to security requirements associated with accessing essential project sites and information, ALL applicants MUST be citizens of the United States.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
• Valid driver’s license is required
• Local and regional overnight travel is required
• Field work to remote locations may be required

Minimum starting salary is $122,293 and is commensurate with experience and education. DRI offers a benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance; including 19.25% retirement match, 24 annual leave days, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and the choice of three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts. Additionally, there is no state income tax and no social security deduction. This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

Organizational Summary

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) is a recognized world leader in basic and applied environmental research. Committed to scientific excellence and integrity, DRI faculty, students who work alongside them, and staff have developed scientific knowledge and innovative technologies in research projects around the globe.

Since 1959, DRI’s research has advanced scientific knowledge on topics ranging from humans’ impact on the environment to the environment’s impact on humans. DRI’s impactful science and inspiring solutions support Nevada’s diverse economy, provide science-based educational opportunities, and inform policymakers, business leaders, and community members.

The position will be based in Reno situated in northwestern Nevada at the base of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Reno boasts 300+ days of sunshine and offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor activities ranging from mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, whitewater paddling, and golfing in the summer and fall to alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

For more detailed information about DRI and DRI faculty, research projects, and publications, please visit us at www.dri.edu. For questions regarding this position or assistance with your application, please email [e-mail] or call the recruiting office at 775-673-7431.