Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition waivers for employees

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a Visiting Scientific Specialist in Environmental Sciences at the Illinois State Water Survey. The role develops novel research methods, real-time data integrations, and digitization of analog datasets to reveal new scientific narratives.

The position emphasizes data pipelines, AI tools, and groundwater modeling integration, with opportunities to present findings and teach others about machine learning and data analysis in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in hydrology, geology, civil engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience writing programming scripts for data visualization and analysis.
• Experience with Git for version control.
• Familiarity with SQL for database queries.
• Familiarity with MODFLOW6, FloPy, and related groundwater modeling tools.
• Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Research Development – streamline data pipeline from database to hydrogeologic models and visualizations for participatory modeling.
• Develop software and services to share ISWS, ISGS, and other PRI datasets; build dashboards and backend APIs.
• Develop parallelization schema for pipelines from database to AWS buckets and Data Lakes.
• Explore AI integrations including CNNs, CMA-ES, and LLMs for long-term data analysis.
• Digitize dark data and enable AI-assisted querying and meta-analysis of historical datasets.
• Integrate data pipelines into groundwater modeling infrastructure (MODFLOW6 and FloPy).
• Research Dissemination and Teaching – present tools at conferences and seminars; develop teaching materials; serve as invited lecturer.
• Perform other duties to support the Survey, PRI, and the University.

Skills

Python for data analysis

Git / GitHub

SQL

Data visualization

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in hydrology/earth science

Bachelor's degree in computer science

Tools

FloPy

MODFLOW6

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

GitHub

Job description

Visiting Scientific Specialist, Environmental Sciences

Illinois State Water Survey

Job Summary

An entry-level position dedicated to developing novel research methods for exploring, visualizing, and leveraging the data available at the Illinois State Water Survey. Develop real-time integrations of hydrologic data into groundwater and integrated hydrologic models. Digitization of analog datasets to bring new scientific stories out of the "dark".

Duties & Responsibilities

• Research Development - 75%

  Work with ISWS databases to streamline data pipeline from database to hydrogeologic models and visualizations for participatory modeling with community stakeholders.

  Pipeline could include: Amazon Web Services, Parquet files, Delta and DeltaAI, and LLMFlux.

  Establish and build working relationship with the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  Develop software and services to share and explore ISWS, ISGS, and other PRI datasets. For example, contribute to the development of online dashboards, and backend APIs for allowing researchers to view more of their data in one common location.

  Develop parallelization schema for data pipeline from database to AWS buckets and Data Lakes.

  Research the integration with artificial intelligence tools with PRI datasets, including:

  • Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for pattern and trend analysis
  • Implementation of Covariance-Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (CMA-ES) for improving calibration optimization with modeled datasets
  • Employing large language models (LLMs) to explore more than one hundred years of analog data at PRI

  Develop software and tools for digitizing \"dark data\" - i.e., handwritten data that is not easily incorporated into digital automated workflows. Investigations could include:

  • Comparisons of 1950s drought groundwater level data against modern drought data.
  • Use artificial intelligence to query the historical data to find overlooked trends, patterns, and processes.
  • Meta-analysis of AI-identified trends against human observations to determine how LLMs are missing (or not) important subject matter expertise.

  Integration of data pipeline into groundwater modeling infrastructure-i.e., MODFLOW6 and FloPy-towards building real-time model simulations.

• Research Dissemination and Teaching - 20%

  Present newly developed tools and visualizations at professional conferences, symposiums, and invited seminars. Poster and oral presentations, as well as tabling information booths at public outreach events (e.g., State Fair).

  Developing teaching materials for teaching environmental scientists, geologists, hydrologists, and ecologists to leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence tools for their research.

  Serving as an invited lecturer for both internal and external courses.

• Other - 5%

  Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the Survey, PRI, and the University of Illinois.

  Keep abreast of developments in this discipline.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The work is sedentary and involves remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time working at a computer, using a keyboard and mouse, and using repetitive hand motions.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in hydrology, geology, civil engineering, or another similar technical field. Alternate degree fields will be considered depending on the nature and depth of the experience as it relates to this position.

• Experience writing programming scripts for data visualization and analysis, including course work.
• Experience with Git for version control, including course work.
• Familiarity with SQL for database queries.
• Familiarity with MODFLOW6, FloPy, and other tools for groundwater modeling.
• Valid Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in computer science, with focus on applications for environmental sciences.

• Demonstrable experience teaching other professionals machine learning, data analysis, and AI tools and techniques, including providing example notebooks for the audience to reference again in the future.
• 1-2 years of research experience using Python, R, or other similar software for data analysis. Not using Microsoft Excel.
• 1-2 years using git and/or GitHub (or similar version control software) for parallel, asynchronous software development for academic research and publications.
• 1-2 years' experience using SQL to query datasets and compose relational databases.
• 1-2 years' experience with reviewing and developing groundwater models using FloPy and MODFLOW6.
• 1-2 years of research experience in computer science applications for hydrologic and environmental datasets.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum software competencies: python for data analysis, git/GitHub, SQL, JavaScript, node.js, WordPress, FloPy, and MODFLOW6.
• Effective communication, personal relations, collaboration, organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills. Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a diverse and fast-paced work environment consisting of multiple and changing priorities with stringent deadlines, under minimal supervision. Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills. Proficiency in commonly-employed software and databases.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Visiting Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 11/16/2026. Position may become regular non-visiting at future date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $55,000 to $65,000. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the full range for a position.

This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on November 19th 2026. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jon Freiman HR Business Partner at [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

About the University

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Benefits

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Equal Opportunity

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].