Postdoctoral Research Associate in Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience

Lehigh University; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience (CAT) at Lehigh University invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate. You will join a dynamic multi-university consortium, contribute to novel catastrophe modeling methods, and be mentored by senior faculty.

This in-person, on-campus role emphasizes collaboration, research autonomy, and career development. You will advance flood hazard modeling and risk estimation, explore large language model assisted workflows, and help

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree completed (or near completion) in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, or a closely related field at the time of application.
• Strong record of research, publications, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently to achieve objectives, meet deadlines, and mentor others.
• Ability to facilitate collaborations with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Work on fundamental or applied research in flood hazard modeling, risk and loss estimation, and AI integration into catastrophe modeling.
• Engage in multidisciplinary collaborations inside or outside Lehigh and participate in center activities.
• Prepare and publish research findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present results at conferences.
• Assist in mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to grant writing.
• Participate in center seminars, workshops, and other events with the academic community.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Tools

HEC-HMS

HEC-RAS

SWMM

TRITON

Python

Git

High-performance computing

Job description

The Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience (CAT) at Lehigh University is seeking to fill a position for a postdoctoral research associate. The successful candidate will join the thriving activities of the center and contribute to the science developed in a new multi-university consortium, under the supervision of center associate director Ethan Yang and associate professor Hong-Yi Li. The postdoc will perform collaborative research, develop innovative new approaches to catastrophe modeling and resilience assessment, assist the faculty in developing project proposals, and be mentored by Drs. Yang and Li and other faculty in the center to continue their career in academia, industry, or government (former postdocs of the Center have been very successful in obtaining the jobs they wanted).

• Position Number: S62100
• Anticipated Salary: $65,000 - $70,000 - Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, including benefits.

Key Responsibilities

The incoming postdoctoral researcher will work on fundamental or applied research in Dr. Yang's and Dr. Li's research groups, with the possibility of conducting multidisciplinary collaborations inside or outside Lehigh. Main research topics include flood hazard modeling (riverine, pluvial, and compound flooding), flood risk and loss estimation, and the integration of artificial intelligence into catastrophe modeling, with a particular emphasis on using large language models (LLMs) to support model development, automate modeling workflows, and translate model outputs into risk insights. The successful candidate is expected to develop autonomous research, engage in the research group activities, and participate in the activities of the Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience. In-person work is preferred.

Other responsibilities may include

• Assist the PIs in progressing the activities of one or two research thrusts.
• Prepare and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.
• Assist in the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students.
• Contribute to grant writing, including assisting in the development of proposals and identifying funding opportunities.
• Participate in center seminars, workshops, and other events, engaging with the academic community.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree completed (or near completion) in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology, or a closely related field at the time of application. The degree must be completed by the start of the appointment.
• A good record of research, publications, and strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently to achieve project objectives, meet project deadlines and reporting requirements, and help mentor other group members.
• Ability to fill an important role in facilitating collaborations with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling (e.g., HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, SWMM, TRITON, or similar), including urban drainage and compound flood applications.
• Experience applying AI and machine learning to hazard or risk modeling, including LLMs, LLM-based agents, or related generative AI tools.
• Flood risk assessment, loss estimation, resilience analysis, and catastrophe modeling.
• Experience with code development and management (e.g., Python, Git, high-performance computing).
• Technical skills in data science, GIS, and remote sensing.
• Experience in probabilistic modeling, uncertainty quantification, and surrogate modeling.

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time, one-year position with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding availability. The target starting date is January 4, 2027, but the actual starting date can be negotiated.

Lehigh University offers a vibrant and inclusive work environment that fosters professional growth, personal development, and a strong sense of community. With a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we value the unique perspectives and experiences of our employees. Competitive benefits, including comprehensive healthcare plans, tuition remission, and retirement savings opportunities, ensure your well-being and long-term success. Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

• The duties of the position do not allow for a remote work option; the employee in this position will be required to work on campus where they can be fully accessible to the Lehigh community.
• This position works with minors.

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.