Postdoctoral Research Associate - National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineerin[...]

University of Mississippi; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mississippi invites applications for a research role focused on advancing numerical models of watershed hydrology and water quality. The candidate will develop, implement, calibrate, verify, and validate hydrologic and hydraulic models, and explore rainfall-runoff, flood processes, and pollutant transport to support flood forecasting and water resources planning.

Responsibilities include applying surface water and flood models, validating models against observations, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Civil/Environmental Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience in numerical modeling of watershed hydrology and water quality.
• Experience calibrating, verifying, and validating hydrologic/hydraulic models.
• Experience in publishing peer‑reviewed scientific work.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (FORTRAN, Python, R).
• Strong oral, written, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and apply surface water, watershed, and flood models.
• Verify and validate models using observations and data.
• Simulate rainfall-runoff, streamflow routing, flood inundation, sediment transport.
• Assess impacts of land use, climate variability, and extreme weather on water resources.
• Support development of computational tools for flood forecasting and planning.

Skills

Numerical modelling

Model calibration/validation

Scientific programming

Peer‑reviewed publications

Presentation skills

CCHE models

Lab/field experiments

Education

Ph.D. in Civil/Environmental Engineering

Tools

FORTRAN

Python

R

Job description

The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will conduct research and develop advanced numerical models to analyze watershed hydrology, surface water systems, flooding, and water quality. Responsibilities include developing, implementing, calibrating, verifying, and validating hydrologic and hydraulic models; simulating watershed processes such as rainfall‑runoff, streamflow routing, flood inundation, sediment transport, and pollutant fate and transport; and evaluating the impacts of land use change, climate variability, and extreme weather events on water resources. The position also supports the development of computational tools and decision‑support systems for flood forecasting, watershed planning, and water resources management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and apply surface water, watershed, and flood models for hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality analyses.
• Verify and validate hydrologic and hydraulic models using field observations, monitoring data, and historical flood events.
• Simulate watershed processes, including rainfall‑runoff transformation, streamflow routing, flood inundation, sediment transport, and pollutant fate and transport.
• Evaluate the impacts of land use change, climate variability, and extreme weather events on flooding, watershed hydrology, water quantity, and water quality.
• Support the development of computational tools and decision‑support systems for flood forecasting, watershed planning, and water resources management.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and apply surface water, watershed, and flood models for hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality analyses.
• Verify and validate hydrologic and hydraulic models using field observations, monitoring data, and historical flood events.
• Simulate watershed processes, including rainfall‑runoff transformation, streamflow routing, flood inundation, sediment transport, and pollutant fate and transport.
• Evaluate the impacts of land use change, climate variability, and extreme weather events on flooding, watershed hydrology, water quantity, and water quality.
• Support the development of computational tools and decision‑support systems for flood forecasting, watershed planning, and water resources management.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience in numerical modeling of watershed hydrology, surface water systems, flood processes, and/or water quality.
• Experience in model calibration, verification, and validation using field, laboratory, and/or observational datasets.
• Experience in writing peer‑reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience in scientific programming (e.g., FORTRAN, Python, R).
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills (both technical and non‑technical).
• Experience with CCHE numerical models is preferred.
• Experience in laboratory and/or field experimental studies related to hydrology, hydraulics, watersheds, flooding, or water quality is preferred.
• Experience in computer systems development, scientific software development, or computational tool development is preferred.

Education

Ph.D. in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, or a closely related discipline. The Ph.D. degree should be already received or about to be received at the end of the current semester.

Funding and Employment

This position is fully or partially funded by external research grants. Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the ongoing availability of funding.

Application Materials

Applicants are requested to attach a Resume/CV with their application.

Interview Requirements

Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.