Postdoctoral Scholar (Up to 2) - Groundwater Science and Policy

The Earth Research Institute at the University of California, Santa Barbara invites applications for one or more Postdoctoral Scholar positions in groundwater science and policy. The successful applicant will work with Professor Scott Jasechko and Professor Debra Perrone as part of the Groundwater Research Hub at UC Santa Barbara.

The Groundwater Research Hub is a new five-year research center that uses large observational datasets to characterize water stress and to evaluate the management and policy responses to it, connecting global evidence to local decisions. Alongside its research program, the Hub trains early-career scholar and works to move research findings into the hands of the people who make water decisions, in partnership with state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, journalists, and international organizations.

The successful applicant will lead a substantial line of research rather than execute a predefined plan: framing the question, assembling the evidence, and carrying the work through to publication and, where appropriate, to policy audiences. Depending on the applicant's strengths, the work may emphasize the physical behavior of aquifers under stress, quantitative evaluation of groundwater management and policy interventions, or the connection between the two. Specific research questions will be developed in conversation with the successful applicant.

The position includes support for conference travel and international collaboration, access to the Hub's groundwater data holdings and to staff data scientists, and structured mentoring toward research independence, including proposal development. Postdoctoral Scholars in the Hub are encouraged to develop their own funding and collaborations, and will have opportunities to mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers.

Ph.D. or equivalent international degree, or enrolled in a Ph.D. or equivalent international degree-granting program at the time of application, in hydrology, hydrogeology, earth or environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, geography, environmental economics or policy, statistics or data science, or a closely related field.

Ph.D. or equivalent international degree conferred by the date of appointment. Applicants must have sufficient remaining eligibility under University policy limiting total postdoctoral service across all institutions.

• A record of peer-reviewed publication appropriate to career stage, with evidence of having led the work rather than only contributed to it.
• Fluency in at least one scientific programming language (R, Python, MATLAB) and demonstrated experience assembling or analyzing large or heterogeneous datasets.
• Research experience in groundwater, hydrogeology, or water resources.
• Experience with quantitative evaluation of policy or management interventions, including causal inference or comparative research designs.
• Experience with geospatial analysis.
• Demonstrated commitment to reproducible research practice, including version control, documented workflows, and public release of data or code.
  -Evidence of clear scientific writing, and of communicating research to non-specialist audiences such a policymakers, practitioners, or the media.
• Experience mentoring or supervising students or junior researchers.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within an interdisciplinary team spanning the natural sciences, law, policy.

• 3-4 required (contact information only)

Applicants provide the names, affiliations, and email addresses of three references at the time of application. No letters are required to apply. Letters of recommendation will be requested only from the references of finalists, after the interview stage, and candidates will be notified before their references are contacted.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.