Arizona State University: Knowledge Enterprise: Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation: Arizona Water Innovation Initiative
Location
Tempe campus
Open Date
Sep 12, 2025
Description
The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative (AWII) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position to support the Arizona Water for All program (AW4A). The Arizona Water for All (AW4A) program works with national and local partners to improve water security and engagement in water decision-making amongst households in water-insecure areas of the state.
The Postdoctoral Scholar will investigate the role of Modular, Adaptive, and Decentralized (MAD) water system in improve water security for rural communities in Arizona that are not connected to large municipal water systems. This research will generate findings directly applicable to improving the water security of households in the state of Arizona and the southwest United States, with wider relevance both nationally and globally. The ideal candidate will be a social scientist with interest or research experience in: the causes and effects of water insecurity in rural areas; the importance of operations and maintenance in sustainable water service delivery; the role of regulation in technology adoption in the water sector.
The Arizona Water Innovation Initiative is a statewide project led by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. Through this initiative, ASU works with industrial, municipal, research, agricultural, tribal, and international partners to rapidly accelerate and deploy new approaches and technologies for water conservation, efficiency, monitoring, forecasting, decision-making, policy, and equitable distribution. AWII’s mission is to drive a thriving water future through discovery, innovation, and action for the benefit of all of Arizona. The postdoc will work directly with Dr. Patrick Thomson and be part of a dynamic research team at the School of Human Evolution and Social Change (SHESC) led by Professor Amber Wutich. This is a benefits-eligible, full-time position with no tenure implications. The anticipated start date is October 2025. The initial appointment will be for one year, with the opportunity for renewal contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance.
Essential Duties
- Designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research on decentralized water systems and water security in case study locations across Arizona.
- Analyzing original, existing project data, and secondary data on rural water security and decentralized water provision.
- Working closely with a range of research participants, including government employees, policymakers, NGOs, and rural communities.
- Collaborating in coordination with members of interdisciplinary teams, including engineers, hydrologists, and economists.
- Preparing reports, academic/public presentations, and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications.
- Administering social science research, including managing research budgets, coordinating with teams, and communicating with team members and stakeholders.
- Assisting with long-term data management and archiving; and
- Supervising student lab assistants.
Qualifications
Required:
- Applicants must have a recent Ph.D. (within the past four years) in a social science (e.g., anthropology, geography, sustainability, natural resource management, environmental social science, environmental sociology, public policy or affairs, social work, etc.) or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research is required.
- Demonstrated academic interests and experience publishing in one or more of the following topics: stakeholder research, participatory methods, co-production, or other related fields.
Desired:
- Expertise in stakeholder, participatory, or other community-based approaches.
- Experience in conducting applied/policy research and outreach with a range of stakeholders, including government scientists, policymakers, and marginalized communities.
- Rigorous research methods training, including research skills and experiences in individual and group interviewing, survey design, and mixed-methods analysis (including qualitative coding, data management, data analysis, and data visualization).
- Experience with social network research.
- Experience with large research projects.
- Experience working with undergraduate students.
- The ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others on a multi-disciplinary research team.
- The ability to engage professionally with a global population of faculty, staff, and students across the university and community.
- Excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) skills (including spoken/written English).
Application Instructions
Only electronic submissions will be reviewed. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To apply for this position, submit the following required application materials:
- A detailed cover letter that includes a description of applicant’s research interests and relevant experience and vision related to the position.
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three professional references (include name, title, affiliation, email address, phone number).
Review of applications will begin September 30, 2025. If not filled, applications will be evaluated weekly thereafter until the search is closed.
