Associate Research Professor, Soil Physics

Job Description

The Desert Research Institute's (DRI's) Division of Hydrologic Sciences (DHS) is seeking a qualified individual to join an interdisciplinary research organization at the forefront of advancing hydrologic and micrometeorological science in arid and semiarid environments. This individual will lead an externally funded research program focused on the field measurement, network operation, and quantitative analysis of soil moisture, evapotranspiration (ET), and land-atmosphere energy exchange across Nevada and the arid West.

The successful candidate will have extensive expertise in soil physics, vadose zone hydrology, and micrometeorology. Experience integrating ground-based networks with remotely sensed or gridded soil moisture and ET products, and with scientific data pipeline development for automated processing and quality assurance, is strongly encouraged. The successful candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with other DRI faculty and outside partners who conduct a broad range of environmental research projects, including state and federal agencies engaged in water balance and drought monitoring.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates with a sustained record of peer-reviewed publication, network or program leadership, and service to the broader soil moisture/ET measurement community. This position is based in Reno, NV, with the option for a hybrid/flexible work schedule and periodic travel to field sites and the Southern Nevada Science Center.

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Soil Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience closely related to the duties of this position.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience in at least one approach to soil moisture measurement or modeling, groundwater recharge, or micrometeorological techniques.
• Experience designing, operating, or maintaining environmental monitoring networks.
• Track record of producing collaborative technical project reports and publishing manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated success writing competitive research grants and managing grants/contracts.

• Experience with numerical modeling of complex near-surface processes.
• Experience integrating ground-based measurements with remotely sensed or gridded soil moisture/ET data products.
• Demonstrated scientific software or data pipeline development experience for automated data processing and QA/QC.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career staff.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a complex program consisting of multidisciplinary team members of varying experience levels contributing to multiple projects.
• Lead existing collaborative relationships with state or federal water resource agencies that could be extended in support of DRI's mission.

• Due to security requirements associated with accessing essential project sites and information, ALL applicants MUST be citizens of the United States.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Local and regional overnight travel is required.
• Field work to remote locations may be required.
• This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.
• DRI employs only U.S. citizens and persons lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
• All applicants hired by the Desert Research Institute are subject to E-Verify.
• DRI only sponsors aliens applying for research faculty or postdoctoral fellow positions (J-1 or H-1B Visas).

Minimum starting salary is $122,293 and is commensurate with experience and education.

• health, dental, vision, and life insurance; including 19.25% retirement match, 24 annual leave days, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and the choice of three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.
• Additionally, there is no state income tax and no social security…