Post Doctoral Associate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UVM

Post Doctoral Associate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UVM

The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law.

Overview

Join a vibrant research community at the University of Vermont as a Postdoctoral Scholar. UVM is an R1 research university guided by Our Common Ground values that prioritize transdisciplinary research and collaboration as a strategy for continued strengthening of scientific inquiry and education. Burlington is a vibrant community located on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and Green Mountains.

Research Objectives

The project tests two central hypotheses: (1) flood, droughts, and wildfires generate substantially different nutrient and emerging contaminant sources, sinks, and transport pathways compared to similar events in other seasons; (2) increasingly frequent floods alter watershed function in ways that reduce nutrient retention and other contaminants. The research builds on previous work developing low-cost nutrient electrochemical microsensors and leverages instrumented Vermont watersheds spanning diverse land uses.

Responsibilities

A central component of this work involves both laboratory and field validation of novel microsensors, which will be deployed alongside standard in-stream sensors and grab-sampling methods. The Scholar will develop proficiency in operating a broad range of high-frequency sensing platforms and in analyzing large environmental datasets to generate insights into watershed functioning under changing climate scenarios.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering or a related field by the start date. They must have expertise in fabricating and testing microsensors for environmental contaminants in water and soil systems, and a strong background in environmental engineering, electrochemistry, material science, environmental nanotechnology, and electronics focusing on in‑situ chemical and physical sensing technologies. Proficiency in advanced statistical analysis, particularly in R or similar, is required.

Ideal candidates have a robust publication record, experience with interdisciplinary projects, and a proven ability to foster inter‑institutional collaborations. Experience guiding undergraduate and graduate students on transformative research and high‑impact journal publications is preferred. Candidates should be able to communicate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders.

Appointment

This is a one‑year position with the possibility of a one‑year extension contingent on satisfactory progress. The annual salary is competitive and commensurate with federal agency guidelines, accompanied by benefits. The position provides opportunities for professional development.

Expected start date:
August 1, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range

$63,480 – $77,076

Special Conditions

Contingent on continued funding. Background check required.

Location

University of Vermont, Burlington, VT