Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar in Groundwater Recharge and Rivers (Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee)
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC salary scales set the minimum pay based on the individual’s Experience Level, which is determined by the number of months of postdoctoral service at any institution. See the salary scale titled, Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee -Fiscal Year. A reasonable estimate for this position is $69,000 - 75,000.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications. Ph.D. must be in hand at time of the initial appointment.
Position duration: Maximum Duration of Service in a Postdoctoral Title: Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are full-time and the initial appointment is for a minimum of two years, with the possibility of reappointment. The total duration of an individual’s postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at any institution.

Application Window

Open date: August 25, 2023

Next review date: Monday, Sep 25, 2023 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Jan 3, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Professor Andrew Fisher, in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position of Postdoctoral Scholar in Groundwater Recharge and Rivers, which will support California Climate Action research to investigate groundwater recharge and related processes associated with an ongoing flood-risk reduction project on the Pajaro River. This research links river and stream levee reconfiguration with potential for improvements to groundwater recharge, sediment transport and deposition, water quality, aquatic habitat, and flood-plain reconnection. The Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at UCSC is a dynamic, welcoming, and highly interdisciplinary environment comprising approximately 25 faculty and numerous researchers and students with expertise across many components of Earth/Planetary Systems, including climate and atmospheric dynamics, shallow and deep geophysics, terrestrial and marine biogeochemical cycles, land surface processes, petrology and structural geology, and the cryosphere and sea level change.

The successful candidate will have experience in, and will help to lead research in, one or more topics related to fresh water and climate change that may include:

• water quality of surface water and groundwater (especially nutrient reaction, transport, and fate)
• channel flows
• infiltration and groundwater recharge
• surface water - groundwater interaction
• use of heat as a tracer of fluid flow in groundwater systems
• links between these topics and sediment transport, flood risk reduction, riparian and flood plain habitat
• use of geographic information systems and multi-criteria decision analysis
• institutional/policy connections between these and related topics and incentives for sustaining freshwater resources

Work will involve stream gauging, water sampling and analysis, measurements and modeling of streambed seepage, and related studies as part of a multi-institutional and interdisciplinary team, including researchers, students, and others with UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, California State University Monterey Bay, the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Engineering with Nature), and the CA Department of Water Resources (among others). This project also includes technical and public engagement with diverse groups and individuals.

The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and a record of impactful research publications. Applicants with the applicable background to succeed in multiple project components (see topics listed above) are highly encouraged to apply.

The postdoctoral scholar will join a hydrogeology research team lead by Professor Andrew Fisher, in collaboration with John Olson (CSUMB), Nicholas Pinter (UCD), Michael Kiparsky (UCB), and Lisa Lurie (Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County), and additional collaborators with these and other universities, agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

UCSC is a world-leading public research university that sits on two thousand acres of redwood-forested hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay with one of the most visually spectacular settings in higher education. The University of California is known for offering competitive retirement savings, health and family benefits, and has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and diversity.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

Earth and Planetary Sciences: https://eps.ucsc.edu/index.html

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in earth science, hydrology/hydrogeology, environmental science, environmental chemistry, water engineering, or related discipline. Note that degree must be in hand at the time of initial appointment rather than at the time of application.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications with complete citations, and the names and contact information for a minimum of three professional references. The hiring unit will contact the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.

• Cover Letter - Cover Letter that summarizes applicant's research experience, qualifications, career aspirations, and broader interest in the position, with specific reference to contributing to one or more project components listed in the position description. (three page maximum)

• Research publication - Please provide one (1) research publication for which the applicant is the first or sole author, from a peer-reviewed journal or book chapter. A manuscript that is "in press" or "submitted and in review" may be submitted.

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01594

Help contact: afisher@ucsc.edu

Campus Information

The University of California 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, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by phone at (831) 459-2686.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify ). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html ).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu

Job location
Santa Cruz, California