Research Associate - National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering (NCCHE)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Mississippi; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Mississippi invites applications for a research-focused position in watershed hydrology. The successful candidate will develop, apply, calibrate, and validate numerical models to study rainfall-runoff, flood processes, and water quality.

Applicants should have a Master's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, strong programming skills (FORTRAN, Python, R), and a track record of peer-reviewed publications.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering or related field is required.
• Experience in numerical modeling of watershed hydrology and water quality.
• Evidence of peer‑reviewed publications and strong programming skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply surface water, watershed, and flood models.
• Verify and validate models with observations and data.
• Simulate watershed processes and assess impacts of climate variability.
• Support development of decision‑support tools for flood forecasting.
• Publish results in peer‑reviewed journals.

Skills

Numerical modeling

Model calibration

Scientific programming

Publications

Oral & written communication

CCHE models

Computational tool development

Education

Master's degree in Civil Engineering

Graduate degree in related field

Tools

FORTRAN

Python

R

CCHE

Job description

Job Summary

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 Description

The successful candidate will support research focused on watershed hydrology, surface water systems, flooding, and water quality through the development and application of advanced hydrologic and hydraulic models. Responsibilities include developing, implementing, calibrating, verifying, and validating numerical models; simulating watershed processes; evaluating the effects of land use change, climate variability, and extreme weather events on water resources; and supporting 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.

Preferred Education

• Graduate degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Candidates who are expected to receive their degree by the end of the current semester are also encouraged to apply.

Education Qualifications

Master's (Required)

Additional Information

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

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

Interview Requirement

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.