Research Specialist: Institute Secure and Sustainable Environment - UTK

Description

This position will report to the Research Assistant Professor and contribute to the TNWaterTA research program that provides technical support and training to small water and wastewater systems across the United States. The position will use specialized knowledge of water/wastewater systems—including transport and treatment processes, hydrology and hydraulics, and computational modeling—to support the PI with completing project deliverables such as the development and implementation of hydraulic analysis and asset management tools, training material, and assistance to systems with their operations, analysis, and planning.

The role will work alongside and collaborate with undergraduate research assistants on project tasks.

• With direction and knowledge from the PI, this role completes project tasks and deliverables. Tasks include Geographic Information System (GIS) use and analysis, development and analysis of infrastructure asset management plans, development and implementation of hydraulic models, development of training materials, hosting trainings and webinars, national asset data management, and statistical analysis.
• Document progress toward project tasks and deliverables in regular progress reports.
• Collaborate with undergraduate research assistants on project tasks to assist with direction provided by the PI.
• Travel to assist utilities with project tasks and deliverables.
• Assist the PI with contributions to scientific, peer‑reviewed journal manuscripts.
• Assist with the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center's general operational needs, including administrative tasks such as procurement research for equipment, scheduling undergraduate interviews, scheduling meetings, creating and assisting with implementation of training programs, and supporting other ongoing research projects at the Center.

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Physics.
• Experience: No initial experience required; internship experience will be considered.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of basic fluid mechanics and hydraulics.
  • Ability to communicate (written and oral) for training and communication with research project sponsors, and to prepare professional quality progress reports.
  • Ability to communicate (written and oral) with rural utility staff.
  • Good organizational skills for managing multiple project tasks and deliverables.
  • Some knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Experience:
  • Knowledge and/or experience in hydraulics and hydrology, computational modeling, water and wastewater engineering, and database management.
  • Technical writing, giving technical presentations, and managing time on multiple projects, tasks, and deliverables.
  • Consulting or working in state or federal entities working with EPA.
  • Experience managing multiple projects, tasks, and deliverables.
  • Experience with GIS, EPANET, EPASWMM, Python, and/or MATLAB.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Skilled in geographic information systems (GIS) software.
  • Skilled in hydraulic modeling software (EPANET, EPASWMM).
  • Skilled in writing computer code (VBA, Python, MATLAB).

• Location:
  
  Knoxville, TN
• Onsite (possibility of remote work based on applicant qualifications)

• UT market range: MR07
• Anticipated hiring range: $53,000 - $68,000
• Benefits include tuition assistance, health insurance, retirement plan, and professional development opportunities.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment‑based visa status.