Research Associate in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Septic System Resilience and Early Warning

University of Virginia

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc) to join a highly interdisciplinary research effort focused on advancing the resilience of decentralized wastewater systems in rural coastal communities. This position is funded through the University of Virginia Environmental Institute's Climate Collaborative and addresses the growing vulnerability of septic systems in coastal, rural communities under climate-driven stressors including rising groundwater, sea level rise, and intensifying storm events.

The Postdoc will join Dr. Shafiee-Jood's research group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia and work at the intersection of environmental sensing, hydrologic modeling, data science, and community-engaged research. The primary focus of this position is the development of a prototype monitoring and early warning system that can anticipate septic system failures before they cascade into broader environmental and public health consequences.

The Postdoc will also contribute to the development of decision-support tools for adaptive wastewater alternatives and will play an active role in community and stakeholder engagement throughout the project, including regular collaboration with local health agencies, planning organizations, and community members participating in the pilot monitoring program on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Key Responsibilities

The Postdoc will play a central role in advancing a community-engaged, translational research agenda at the intersection of environmental sensing, hydrologic modeling, and public health. Working collaboratively with faculty, students, community partners, and local agencies, the Postdoc will take ownership of research activities while contributing to the broader mission of the project. Specific responsibilities include:

* Lead the development of a prototype monitoring and early warning system for septic system vulnerabilities, integrating sensor data, hydrologic signals, and data-driven modeling approaches

* Contribute to the development of decision-support tools that help households and local governments evaluate and compare adaptive wastewater alternatives

* Engage actively with local health agencies, planning organizations, and community members throughout all phases of the project to ensure research activities are grounded in community priorities and needs

* Travel periodically to field sites on the Eastern Shore of Virginia to support monitoring deployment, data collection, and community engagement activities

* Synthesize and disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations

* Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to an inclusive and collaborative research environment

* Contribute to proposal development and identification of new funding opportunities

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in civil engineering, environmental engineering, hydrology, environmental science, or a closely related field by the appointment start date. Candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas will be given priority consideration:

* Hydrologic or groundwater modeling, particularly in coastal or shallow aquifer settings

* Environmental sensing, IoT systems, or sensor data management

* Machine learning, AI, or data-driven approaches applied to environmental systems

* Uncertainty quantification and risk assessment

* Decision-support tools or geospatial analysis

* Community-engaged or participatory research methods

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, communicate effectively across disciplinary boundaries, and work collaboratively with academic, government, and community partners. Given the interdisciplinary and community-engaged nature of this project, candidates who are comfortable working at the interface of science and practice are especially encouraged to apply. Experience mentoring students is a plus.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

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