Hydrogeochemist; Geological Research Specialist

Department

INDIANA GEOLOGICAL & WATER SUR (UA-GEOY-IUBLA)

The Survey is charged with conducting geological research; providing geological information, data, and educational outreach; and maintaining physical and digital geological collections. The IGWS is a long-standing, state-supported organization benefiting the welfare of the citizens of Indiana since 1837, when Dr. David Dale Owen was hired to conduct a geological assessment of the state. The Survey has been associated with Indiana University (IU) for most of the 20th century and was formally established as part of the university through Indiana statute (IC 21-47-2) in 1993.

In 2022, the state legislature established the IGWS Center for Water (IC 21-47-2-7) and Center for Energy (IC 21-47-2-8) to support long-term studies of the state s natural water and energy resources.

The Indiana Geological and Water Survey seeks to recruit a Hydrogeochemist with expertise in groundwater geochemistry, laboratory analysis, and hydrogeologic interpretation to support the statutory responsibilities of the Survey and its Center for Water related to Indiana s water resources. This position emphasizes development of geochemical data products, operation of hydrologic monitoring infrastructure, and integration of geochemical and hydrogeologic datasets.

• Independently plans and conducts basic and applied hydrogeochemical research supporting the Survey s statutory duties concerning Indiana s water and bedrock resources at regional to site specific scales.
• Uses existing groundwater and bedrock geochemistry datasets and collects additional samples to evaluate spatial and temporal changes in groundwater geochemical properties.
• Collects groundwater and related bedrock samples and conducts laboratory procedures, analytical procedures, quality control, and data validation.
• Performs geochemical data analysis and interpretation in support of groundwater monitoring, assessment, and research objectives.
• Maintains and supports the ongoing operation of the Indiana Water Balance Network (IWBN), including troubleshooting technical issues; replacing and maintaining hardware and instrumentation; coordinating calibration and performance checks; and ensuring continuity, reliability, and quality of IWBN data streams.
• Works closely with a physical Hydrogeologist and other Survey staff to support activities related to the National Ground Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN).
• Integrates geochemical, hydrogeologic, and groundwater level datasets to support contract deliverables and interpretation of groundwater system behavior.
• Supports statewide groundwater monitoring and research activities and interacts with state agencies, universities, and research partners.
• Produces scientific deliverables including datasets, maps, technical reports, and publications.
• Supports and maintains geological data and collections, ensuring proper stewardship, organization, and preservation of digital datasets, paper records, and physical samples in accordance with Survey standards and best practices.

• Plans and develops research projects, methods, and techniques that may include proposal development.
• Participates in and may lead externally and internally funded research projects as a Princlipal Investigator (PI) or co-PI.
• Supervises, performs, collects, analyzes, and interprets field and laboratory data from geological investigations.
• Reviews published literature pertaining to specific research.
• Presents as first author or coauthor interpreted research findings at meetings, conferences, and field trips.
• Trains students and less experienced coworkers on the proper use, maintenance, calibration, and repair of field and laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Publishes as first author or coauthor interpreted research findings as geological maps, posters, journal articles, geodatabases, and geospatial coverages.
• Responds to service requests for information from the public, utilities, industry, government agencies, and academia.
• Supports and maintains geological collections, ensuring proper handling of digital data, paper records, and…