Postdoctoral Scholar of Hydrogeology, Department of Geoscience, College of Science

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) appreciates your interest in employment. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:  

• Once you start the application process you cannot save your work. Please ensure you have all required attachment(s) available to complete your application before you begin the process.  
• Required attachments are listed below on the posting. Your application will not be considered without the required attachments.  
• Please note that applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.  If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or unlvjobs@unlv.edu.

Job Description

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar of Hydrogeology, Department of Geoscience, College of Science [R0146043].

The Department of Geoscience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), in conjunction with the Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems (SAWS) unit at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, seeks to hire a postdoctoral researcher to measure and model vadose fluid transport in the deep vadose zone (10s to >100 m depth) in California’s Central Valley. The research will focus on the use of geophysical tools to parameterize and validate groundwater flow models of the vadose zone and will contribute towards efforts to achieve groundwater sustainability in the Central Valley. The postdoc will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of geophysicists, hydrogeologists, soil physicists, and agricultural scientists at UNLV and the SAWS unit. This is a full-time, 12-month position and is renewable for up to 2 years upon mutual agreement.

ROLE of the POSITION

The project will focus on the use of borehole nuclear magnetic resonance to image and monitor the redistribution of water content in the vadose zone as a basis for modeling unsaturated flow in the Central Valley. Additional geophysical data sources such as transient electromagnetic soundings may be incorporated as well. The postdoc will be responsible for coordinating the logistics of regular data acquisition campaigns, processing and interpreting the geophysical data, and incorporating the geophysical data, as well as relevant ancillary data, into hydrogeological simulations being developed at UNLV and the SAWS unit using tools such as ParFlow-CLM.

Note that the primary duty station for the postdoc will likely be at the SAWS unit in Davis, CA, though station at the Department of Geoscience at UNLV may also be considered. However, travel to UNLV will be accommodated when necessary to advance project goals.

PROFILE of the DEPARTMENT

The UNLV Geoscience Department currently has 20 Faculty, 150 undergraduate students, more than 40 graduate students and a dozen postdoctoral scholars and research staff. Students, faculty and staff have free access to an array of computing clusters at the National Supercomputing Institute, which is housed at UNLV. UNLV is a Carnegie R1 research institution, ranks among the nation’s most diverse campuses and has graduate programs rated among the nation’s top 100, including Geoscience. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are core values at UNLV and in our department. Candidates from historically under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

The Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems (SAWS) unit is a research group at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Davis, CA, consisting of nearly 25 permanent scientists, postdocs, graduate students, and support staff. The mission of the SAWS unit is to increase the efficiency and sustainability of irrigated agriculture in California’s Central Valley under changing environmental conditions. Special focus areas include studying carbon and water fluxes in vine and tree orchard crops to improve irrigation efficiency, as well as modeling and monitoring managed aquifer recharge efficacy. To support this mission, the SAWS unit hosts an array of field equipment, including geophysical tools such as borehole and surface nuclear magnetic resonance instruments, a Geoprobe drilling rig, and electrical resistivity and electrical induction equipment. The USDA SCINet cluster computing resources are also available to all researchers.

PROFILE of the OFFICE OF POSTDOCTORAL AFFAIRS (OPA)

The mission of the UNLV Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) is to enhance and support postdoctoral training and career development; serve as the central resource office for postdoctoral questions and issues for faculty, supervisors, mentors, and prospective and current postdocs; build a community for all UNLV postdocs; and provide professional development programs and networking events for postdocs.

UNLV currently employs postdoctoral scholars across a wide range of disciplines. 

Learn more about UNLV’s postdoctoral scholars.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a PhD from an accredited college or university as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and experience in either groundwater geophysics or hydrological modeling.

COMMITMENT to DIVERSITY and CAMPUS VALUES

A successful candidate will support diversity, equity, and inclusiveness and contribute to a respectful, positive work environment. They will use our Campus Values to guide their decisions and actions and demonstrate our Rebel spirit. .

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will possess a strong computational background and a combination of geophysical data acquisition and groundwater modeling skills, although applications from specialists in either groundwater geophysics or hydrological modeling will be considered. The candidate will be expected to publish their work in peer-reviewed journals and present their results at relevant academic conferences. Additionally, the candidate should be able to work proactively with USDA stakeholders and collaborators.

SALARY RANGE

Salary range is $60,000 – $70,000, or commensurate with labor market and appointing authority’s availability of funds. Position is contingent upon funding.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT UNLV

• Comprehensive health insurance including medical, dental, and vision
• No state income tax (if applicable)
• Comprehensive retirement plan and voluntary benefits programs
• Grant in Aid waives the non-resident fee for the employee and their eligible dependents at Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) schools

PERKS

• Connect with colleagues with shared interests
• Employee recognition and appreciation programs
• Personal and professional development opportunities
• Discounted tickets for UNLV athletics
• Discounted tickets for UNLV Performing Arts Center and  Nevada Conservatory Theatre
• Statewide employee purchase program discounts
• RebelCard discounts on and off campus
• Wellness programming for all UNLV faculty and staff at no cost

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a one-page letter of interest, a detailed curriculum vitae listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance. Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates’ materials will begin on March 1, 2025.

Materials should be addressed to Dr. Gordon Osterman and Dr. Zach Perzan, Search Committee Chairs, and must be submitted through Workday, as we do not accept emailed materials. For assistance with the application process, please contact UNLV Human Resources at (702) 895-3504 or UNLVJobs@unlv.edu.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNAL NSHE CANDIDATES

UNLV employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the “Find Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at UNLV and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type “Find Jobs” in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the job requisition number, “R0146043” in the search box.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

PROFILE of the UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1957, UNLV is a doctoral-degree-granting institution comprised of approximately 30,000 students and more than 3,600 faculty and staff. To date, UNLV has conferred more than 152,000 degrees, producing more than 130,000 alumni around the world. UNLV is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as an R1 research university with very high research activity, and is a recipient of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The university is committed to recruiting and retaining top students and faculty, educating the region’s diversifying population and workforce, driving economic activity through increased research and community partnerships, and creating an academic health center for Southern Nevada that includes the launch of a new UNLV School of Medicine. UNLV is located on a 332-acre main campus and two satellite campuses in Southern Nevada.

Here at UNLV, we have come together and created one of the most affirmative and dynamic academic environments in the country. UNLV sits in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s annual listing of the nation’s most diverse universities for undergraduates. The university has ranked in the top ten since the rankings debuted more than a decade ago. We continue to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population and building the future for Las Vegas and Nevada.

For more information, visit us on line at: http://www.unlv.edu

EEO/AA STATEMENT

The University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible.

TITLE IX STATEMENT

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non-discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq.) and the corresponding implementation regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106). The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of these provisions may be referred to: Michelle Sposito, J.D., Title IX Coordinator, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 451062, Las Vegas, NV 89154-1062, Frank and Estella Beam Hall (BEH) Room 553, Telephone: (702) 895-4055; Email: titleixcoordinator@unlv.edu, or to The Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-1100; Telephone: 1-800-421-3481 FAX: 202-453-6012; TDD: 1-800-877-8339; Email: OCR@ed.gov; or to both. 

Information pertaining to the University’s grievance procedures and grievance process, including how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment, and how the University will respond can be found online at the Office of Equal Employment & Title IX webpage.

SAFETY AND SECURITY STATEMENT

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.

JOB CATEGORY

Postdoctoral Scholar

ExemptYes

Full-Time Equivalent100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Submit a one-page letter of interest, a detailed curriculum vitae listing qualifications and experience, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references who may be contacted. References will not be contacted until the search chair notifies you in advance. Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based.

Posting Close Date12/31/2025

Note to Applicant

This position may require that a criminal background check be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.  

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified,  HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment. 

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.  

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver’s license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.  

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements (if a closing date is provided).

Recruitments that provide a work schedule are subject to change based on organizational needs.