Postdoctoral Research Associate - National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Mississippi; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mississippi invites applications for a research faculty position focusing on watershed hydrology and water resources. You will develop and apply advanced numerical models to analyze hydrology, flooding, and water quality at a watershed scale.

The role involves calibrating and validating models, interpreting results, and contributing to computational tools for flood forecasting and planning. A PhD is required, and strong writing and presentation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field; degree completed or near completion.
• Experience in numerical modeling of watershed hydrology, surface water systems, flood processes, or water quality.
• Ability to publish in peer‑reviewed scientific journals.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (Fortran, Python, R).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and apply surface water, watershed, and flood models for analyses.
• Verify and validate models using field data and historical events.
• Simulate watershed processes including rainfall‑runoff, flood routing, sediment transport.
• Support computational tools for flood forecasting and water resources planning.

Education

Ph.D. in Civil/Environmental Engineering or closely related discipline

Tools

CCHE

Python

FORTRAN

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.

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 PhD degree should be already received or about to be received at the end of the current semester.

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

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.

EEO 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.