Associate Research Professor, Soil Physics

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV); Reno (NV); On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Health insurance

Retirement match

Paid leave

Job summary

The Desert Research Institute (DRI) invites applications for a leadership role in an interdisciplinary research program focused on soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and land–atmosphere energy exchange across Nevada and the arid West. This position is based in Reno with a hybrid/flexible schedule and periodic travel to field sites.

The successful candidate will bring a Ph.D. in a related field, a strong publication record, and extensive experience in soil physics, vadose zone hydrology, and

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.
• Collaborate with DRI faculty and external partners on a broad range of environmental research projects.
• Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career staff; manage multiple projects and partnerships.

Education

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

Job description

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.
• This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.
• DRI employs only U.S. citizens and persons lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
• All applicants hired by the Desert Research Institute are subject to E-Verify.
• DRI only sponsors aliens applying for research faculty or postdoctoral fellow positions (J-1 or H-1B Visas).

Compensation/Benefits

Minimum starting salary is $122,293 and is commensurate with experience and education.

• 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.

ExemptYes

Full-Time Equivalent 100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

• A cover letter detailing how your experience and professional qualifications prepare you to succeed in this role at DRI
• A current curriculum vita
• Contact information for three professional references who will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process based on applicant permission

DRI is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment free of discrimination without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additionally, we comply with all applicable state laws and DRI takes measures consistent with Title IX to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students, faculty and staff.

Jennifer Schultz Title IX Coordinator/Director of Human Resources 2215 Raggio Parkway Reno, NV 89512 [phone] [e-mail]

The Desert Research Institute does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates.

Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106).

The Institute’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for employment.

Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Jennifer Schultz, Title IX Coordinator, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Northern Nevada Science Building, Room 112, Reno, NV 89512.

Telephone: [phone]; Email: [e-mail];.

to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: [phone] FAX: [phone]; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: [e-mail]; or to both.

Information pertaining to the Institute's grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the Institute will respond can be found here.

Information regarding security, personal safety, fire safety, and crime statistics can be found at DRI's Public and Personal Safety page.

NSHE Employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security.

As a result, employment at NSHE may impact your Social Security benefits. Additional information is available at SSA 1945.

Job postings are specific to the Nevada System of Higher Education.