Hydrology Researcher

The University of Texas at Austin is hiring a Hydrology Researcher to evaluate water resource issues related to climate extremes and develop machine learning approaches for data analysis. The role includes conducting research, writing reports, and assisting with proposal development. A Ph.D. in a related field is required, along with strong data science skills. The position is based at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin and is expected to last until April 2026.
Job Posting Title: Hydrology Researcher ---- Hiring Department: Bureau of Economic Geology ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Exempt ---- Earliest Start Date: Immediately ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Apr 15, 2026 ---- Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS ---- Job Details: General Notes This position is located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. Purpose Evaluate water resource issues, including water quantity in relation to water use and climate extremes (droughts, floods), groundwater and surface water issues, develop ML approaches to analyze water quantity/quality data, and assess spatiotemporal variability in various resource datasets. Responsibilities Conducting research using large databases, applying data analytic techniques, mapping data using GIS. Writing reports and publications and presenting results at regular meetings and professional society meetings. Assisting with proposal development. Required Qualifications Ph.D. in Earth Science (e.g. Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Geology, Geography), Civil Engineering, or closely related field. Degree must have been received within three years from date of hire. Preferred Qualifications Strong data science skills and demonstrated research experience in analyzing data, such as output from regional-scale hydroclimatic models and hydrologic models related to climate extremes. Research skills and interest in analyzing data from various sources (remote sensing, model output, databases, linked to climate and hydrology Experience with running hydrologic models and calculating water footprints for water management studies Familiarity with one or more programming languages and machine learning toolkits Self-motivated and strong problem-solving skills Salary Range $70,000 Working Conditions May work around standard office conditions Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines Occasional travel intrastate, interstate, international Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information Letter of interest Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes. Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above. ---- Employment Eligibility: Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation. ---- Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. ---- Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position. ---- Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions. ---- Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. ---- Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university. ---- E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF] E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF] Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF] ---- Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701. In 2024, The University of Texas at Austin was recognized as a 5 Year Champion having placed in the top 10 among Texas employers and top 15 for higher education institutions on Forbes’s list of 500 best large employers five years running. The University’s aspiration to become the world’s highest-impact public research university is driven by our outstanding people. Our employees are the bedrock of our university and are empowered to be true to themselves, to participate fully in our vibrant university, and to thrive as individuals. UT Austin offers competitive salaries, full benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education and public service. Looking for a student job? Please see our Student Employment site. Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to: Human Resource Service Center. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services. Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at (512) 471-4772, or toll-free at (800) 687-4178. UT Austin is a Tobacco-free Campus