Post Doctoral Scholar - Sustainable Stormwater Management

Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

State retirement plan

Job summary

Ohio State University’s FAES invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Scholar in Sustainable Stormwater Management in Columbus, OH. The successful candidate will lead research on urban runoff, develop synthetic stormwater recipes, and model treatment systems with EPA SWMM, under senior mentors.

The role includes fieldwork, supervision of students, data analysis, and collaboration with an industry partner to secure funding and advance watershed-scale solutions amid climate change challenges.

Qualifications

• PhD in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• Experience with field monitoring, lab experiments, and modeling is required.
• External collaborations with universities, industry, or government are encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Lead stormwater research projects with faculty mentors and industry partners.
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students and review their work.
• Conduct fieldwork, install monitoring sites, and run lab experiments.

Skills

Leadership

Publications

Field monitoring

Computational modeling

Laboratory experiments

Education

PhD in Civil/Environmental Engineering

Tools

EPA SWMM

Data analysis software

Job description

Post Doctoral Scholar - Sustainable Stormwater Management

FAES | Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

The position will report to and receive mentoring from Dr. Ryan Winston, but the successful candidate will also be mentored by Dr. Andrew Tirpak (Research Assistant Professor) and Dr. Joey Smith (Research Scientist). The duration of the position is initially one year with the potential to extend beyond if performance expectations are met and funding is available.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work on a diverse range of projects related to urban stormwater management. The Post-Doctoral Scholar will be responsible for leading stormwater management research in collaboration with Drs. Winston, Tirpak, and Smith. Research projects will be related to watershed monitoring to understand effects of urban land use on runoff hydrology and water quality, development of synthetic stormwater recipes through in-depth literature review and data mining, monitoring and modeling of stormwater treatment systems, investigation of maintenance and operation of underground detention systems, laboratory scale treatment of 6PPD-Q using bioretention, and developing treatment systems for nutrients, metals and emerging contaminant removal (totaling 60% of expected effort). Much of this research will be done in collaboration with an industry partner, so an ability to interface with the private sector is desired.

They will also lead analysis of existing datasets related to Blueprint Columbus, a watershed-scale evaluation of green infrastructure in Columbus, Ohio (totaling 40% of expected effort). The candidate will be expected to “plug in” to a cross-disciplinary team and lead ongoing watershed-scale modeling in U.S.EPA SWMM software. The candidate will analyze large rainfall, hydrologic, and water quality data sets, calibrate and validate multiple watershed-scale models, and use these models to better optimize the location of stormwater control measures or understand how green infrastructure will perform at watershed-scale under climate change scenarios. The successful candidate will help supervise staff within the Stormwater Management Program. This includes delegating tasks to undergraduate and graduate students, mentoring them in their growth as scientists, and aiding with reviewing their products. The successful candidate will perform field work associated with graduate student projects and projects led by the Post-Doctoral Scholar, including installing field monitoring sites, standing up laboratory experiments, and helping students to understand the data collected.

Minimum Required Qualifications

PhD in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Ecological Engineering, or Agricultural Engineering (or a related field). Demonstrated leadership ability in their field, including experience publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts in top-tier journals. A desire to perform and experience in aspects of field monitoring, laboratory experiments, and computational modeling on stormwater systems is critical. There is an expectation of external collaboration on research projects with other universities, industry professionals, and/or federal government research entities, including international collaboration. The successful candidate will also build relationships with private sector partners to attract funding and research opportunities. The Post-Doctoral Scholar will assist with and/or lead publications, perform data analysis, write research proposals to obtain funding based on novel research ideas, present research findings at conferences, and assist with the management of research projects, budgets, and personnel.

Additional Information

Location: Agricultural Engineering Building (0298)

Position Type: Term (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours: 40 Shift: First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

About Ohio State

At Ohio State, you’ll find work that inspires you. We offer roles and growth opportunities in countless fields and specialties — including a job that’s right for you. Ohio State benefits give you options to take care of what matters most to you — and opportunities to make adjustments as your life and needs change. As Buckeyes, we accomplish more together. No matter your role, you’ll be part of creating what people need now: pathways to education, research and health care. Working at Ohio State means you’re part of a team with a strong sense of community and an unwavering commitment to excellence — and, of course, incomparable Buckeye spirit. We bring out the best in people, help each other succeed and learn together. By joining Ohio State, you become part of a top-20 public university with one of America’s leading academic health centers. We’re a team of dedicated colleagues with access to boundless resources that support you.