Postdoctoral Scholar

The Harmon Lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Earth Institute at the University of California, Merced, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct research focused on characterizing, measuring, and modeling managed aquifer recharge (MAR).

The successful candidate will identify prospective MAR sites using geophysical methods and coordinate and execute field experiments involving MAR spreading basins at the farm scale. This position will involve collecting, processing, and analyzing geophysical and field-based data to support research on groundwater recharge and sustainable water management.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers investigating sustainable agriculture, water resources, and energy-related challenges in Central California. The position will require active participation in research planning, experimental design, field data collection, data analysis, and the interpretation and communication of research findings.

Additional responsibilities include supervising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, contributing to the preparation of research proposals and grant applications, preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting research findings at technical conferences and professional meetings.

The candidate must demonstrate strong analytical, technical, organizational, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in laboratory, field, and interdisciplinary research environments.

Doctoral degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Hydrology, Earth Science, or a closely related field.

Experience acquiring and analyzing complex geophysical datasets, including data obtained from aerial or towed transient electromagnetic (TEM) observational systems.

Advanced programming and scripting experience using tools such as MATLAB and Python.

Experience publishing research in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at technical conferences.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English.

Advanced experience with experimental methods, statistical analysis, and/or data science, particularly as related to soil boring and sampling.

Proficiency with geospatial processing software, including ArcGIS or QGIS.

Knowledge of basic agricultural processes and farming operations.

• 3 required (contact information only)

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.

Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application: Required Authorization of Information Release Form.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (Center of Institutional Effectiveness), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.

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.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.