Surface Water Hydrologist Researcher I or II

Overview

The Department of Watershed Sciences at Utah State University (USU) is seeking a Researcher (Hydrologist) to support an applied research project in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). This full‑time (1.0 FTE) position will focus on evaluating the accuracy and applicability of flood inundation mapping techniques in diverse and data‑sparse landscapes. It is a nine‑month funded position with the possibility of extension, contingent upon the availability of additional funding.

The Researcher role will be hired at either the “Researcher I” or “Researcher II” level based on the qualifications of the applicant and duties assigned.

The successful candidate will work closely with researchers from NPS, the U.S. Geological Survey, and USU to assess various modeling approaches to flood inundation mapping, including hydraulic models, non‑physics‑based methods like Height Above Nearest Drainage (HAND), and remote sensing techniques.

• Develop flood inundation maps using physics‑based and alternative methods.
• Conduct statistical hydrologic analyses.
• Perform GIS and remote sensing analysis.
• Formulate management recommendations for flood modeling.
• Write technical reports and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Present research findings to government stakeholders at meetings and conferences.

Researcher I

• Master’s degree in hydrology, geomorphology, or hydraulic engineering.
• Proficiency in hydraulic modeling, coding, and GIS.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Researcher II

• Ph.D. degree in hydrology, geomorphology, or hydraulic engineering; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in hydraulic modeling, coding, and GIS.

• 1–2 years of post‑graduate experience in a related field.
• Prior experience with flood inundation mapping.
• Experience communicating flood risk to stakeholders.

• Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”.
• Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into the Candidate Profile.
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application.

Document size may not exceed 10 MB.

$45,000 - $62,000

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not necessarily from occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The S.J. & Jessie

E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is committed to enhancing lives and landscapes through education, research, and outreach. We work across biological, physical, and socioeconomic boundaries to better understand natural and managed ecosystems and to promote the ethical use of land, food, water, and economic resources. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship and engage in collaborations that advance discovery and innovation across disciplines.

Many hold Extension appointments that connect their research directly to communities throughout Utah.

With a statewide network of campuses and learning centers, the college serves people in both urban and rural communities as part of the university’s land‑grant mission. We foster professional collaboration within and beyond the university, and experiential learning for students at all phases of their academic path. Faculty and students benefit from Utah’s remarkable and varied landscapes, which provide unparalleled opportunities for field‑based research, education, and outreach.

The Department of Watershed Sciences in QANR is a powerhouse in the science of ‘wet’ ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, and the watersheds that feed them. Faculty are committed to making science useful for planning, management and restoration efforts, and are well‑positioned to study and solve complex, interdisciplinary problems with a cadre of ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, biogeochemists, and others.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s…