Research Scientist I, Hydrogeology

About the role

Serves as an independent researcher, or a collaborator on a multi-scholar research initiative. May have lead responsibility for discrete components of a larger project under the general direction of a senior or principal researcher.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex scientific analyses
• Adjust experimental designs as necessary based on experimental data analysis
• Direct the development of recommendations for project solutions
• Prepare peer reviewed publications or presentations
• Resolve complex project specific technical and regulatory issues
• Establish work priorities and performance standards, hiring, training, evaluating staff, assigning, and reviewing work
• May be responsible for technical project management to include developing the scope of work, budgeting, scheduling, reporting, implementing field projects, and approving scientific documents
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Three years of research experience related to the domain of this position
• Doctoral Degree in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Engineering, Environmental Science or other related discipline; Master’s Degree plus an additional two years of research experience (5 years total) may be substituted for a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in hydrogeology, numerical groundwater flow modeling and experience developing MODFLOW models for groundwater systems
• Two years of experience beyond PhD, or MS with 4 years’ experience
• Technical proficiency with quantitative data analytics and workflows (e.g. R, Python, GIS, Modflow, GitHub)
• Experience with experimental design and complex data analysis
• Demonstrating ability to work independently
• Experience conducting research across multiple disciplines and a record of success working effectively in collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including peer-reviewed journals and experience communicating with non-academic audiences
• Record of 2 or more lead-author publications in peer-reviewed journals

Additional Preferred

• Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: None
• Employee Category: Exempt
• Type of Appointment: Fiscal Year
• Fte 1.0 Full Time
• Funding: This position is contingent upon the continuation of work and/or funding.

Special Instructions To Applicants

• Applications received by July 6, 2026, will receive first consideration.
• Along With Your Online Application, Please Provide CV including contact information for 3 professional references
• 1-page Cover Letter describing your research interests, how you meet the required and preferred qualifications and how you envision contributing to the applied research mission of IWRRI
• 1 paragraph response to the following questions: (upload as PDF to Other Document 1 field)
• Please describe your experience developing a hydrogeologic model. In your response, outline the assumptions you typically make, the data sources you rely on, and the tools or software you use.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

None

Employee Category

Exempt

Type of Appointment

Fiscal Year

Fte 1.0 Full Time

Funding

This position is contingent upon the continuation of work and/or funding.

To Apply

Visit https://uidaho.peopleadmin.com/postings/51876

Background Check Statement

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.