Position Overview
KGS is seeking a Hydrologic Data Analyst to contribute to externally-funded projects related to modeling interactions between human water management decisions, groundwater, and surface water resources. The hydrologic data analyst will work with KGS scientists to use programming-based data analysis tools to address management-relevant characterization of water resources and their response to human actions and climate. Thus, we are seeking an individual that has both strong technical skills in developing and analyzing large and diverse hydrological, geological, and meteorological datasets, as well as interest and/or experience working as part of collaborative research efforts.
The position is contingent on sponsored project funding.
Job Description
(25%) Data Management
- Aggregate, organize, QAQC, and document hydrologic and geological datasets developed by the KGS and other researchers.
- Develop reproducible workflows to integrate new and existing datasets into data analysis workflows.
(35%) Data Analysis
- Apply programming tools to estimate hydrologic response to human water management actions under different environmental scenarios.
- Develop and implement approaches to answer scientific research questions based on analysis of historical hydrologic, meteorological, and geological datasets, statistical and process-based model input/output data, and other data types as relevant.
- Create, develop, and evaluate process-based and data-driven modeling tools.
(20%) Technical writing and reporting
- Visualize and document data analysis methods and results
- Write and/or co-author collaborative reports, presentations, and publications to share findings.
(15%) Partner and Stakeholder Engagement
- Work with project partners and stakeholders to design and implement desired analyses.
(5%) Service to the unit, institution, and discipline
- Participate in professional scientific and industrial organizations
- Serve on University and KGS committees and organizations as assigned or in response to opportunities.
- Work with staff, students, and visiting scientists when it complements and enhances research activities.
Required Qualifications
Required qualifications will be measured by application materials, interview, and references.
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, hydrology, geology, geography, data science, or a related field plus 2 years of related experience.
- Expertise analyzing data using a programming language (e.g., Python or R).
- Expertise in process-based modeling of human impacts on water cycle.
- Proficiency in aggregating, organizing, and manipulating data using programming tools such as Python or R.
- Demonstrated experience with data visualization including using programming tools to create plots, maps, and other ways of displaying information visually.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively colleagues from various backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in environmental science, hydrology, geology, geography, data science, or a related field.
- Experience developing reproducible workflows for all steps from data aggregation to visualization, including experience with tools such as git, Rmarkdown, Jupyter notebooks, Colab, or similar.
- Experience working as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
- Familiar with water quantity and quality issues in areas with significant groundwater pumping.
Additional Candidate Instructions
A complete online application will include the following materials:
- Cover letter detailing interest in the position and fit with the required and preferred qualifications (max 2 pages)
- CV
- Transcripts for undergraduate and/or graduate degrees (unofficial copies fine)
- Contact information for three references
Review of applications will begin on March 21st.
Contact Information to Applicants
For additional information contact Sam Zipper, samzipper@ku.edu
For HR questions contact Annette Delaney, adelaney@ku.edu, 785-864-2152
Advertised Salary Range
$50,000 – $56,500, depending on experience and education
Work Schedule
8-5, M-F
Application Review Begins
Thursday March 21, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Monday July 1, 2024
