Post-Doctoral Associate

The position involves the study of flow and transport processes in the vadose zone and the groundwater zone, especially involving agricultural activities. Of interest is the study of water flow processes and the transport of agricultural chemicals such as nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus. The researcher will utilize various methods of data analytics (e.g., statistics, stochastic analysis, Bayesian statistical analysis), physically-based hydrology and water quality models, and the use of machine learning tools for modeling flow and transport processes. Direct applications will be to project objectives involving the study of floods and droughts, transport of chemical constituents such as nitrate, phosphorus, and chloride, etc., and the development of tools that can be utilized for predicting pollution occurrence in the vadose zone and the saturated zone.

Duties/Responsibilities
* 80% research projects - Conducting research with innovative modeling methods and data analytics methods and spur cross-discipline development between the team in both water resources and computer science. Specifically, the research projects are ones with objectives of modeling flow and transport processes in the vadose zone using various data analysis and advanced modeling approaches (statistical and machine learning methods). The candidate will also be involved in the application of physically-based model by themselves or in concert with machine learning methods. Meanwhile, the candidate will also help supervise undergraduate / graduate students involved in the project for research activities (including but not limited to manuscript revision / editing, and education activities, such as modeling practices, and code debugging, etc.)
* 20% proposal writing - preparing and drafting academic proposals for applying external funding in both state and federal funding agencies.

Required Qualifications:
Minimum background requirement is that the candidate have a Ph.D. degree in environmental engineering, water resources engineering/science, or environmental science. The candidate must be skillful in using physically-based hydrologic and water quality models, and applications of machine learning methods to flow and transport modeling. The candidate must also have a good background in statistical methods and inverse modeling methods.

Preferred Qualifications:
It is preferred that the candidate has strong proven successful academic records (education background and professional activities) in conducting research in both hydrology and computer science. Any previous success in leading and delivering academic deliverables of using machine learning in solving hydrological problems and experience in spurring interdisciplinary research will be critical for this position because it will benefit research team collaboration for progressing final research deliverables. A strong programming / coding experience in both modeling and using advanced computation tools (cloud system and supercomputer) and data analytics tools is also preferred.

The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (bbe.umn.edu) is an internationally renowned academic unit with the core mission of sustainable use of renewable resources and enhancement of the environment. BBE is affiliated with both the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and the College of Science and Engineering (CSE).

Pay Range: $72,800 ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Student positions are a form of financial support while pursuing an education at the University of Minnesota.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

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The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

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