About the research: The River System Science & Sustainability (RS³) Lab at UC Santa Barbara seeks Postdoctoral Researchers to support the development of REAMS (River Ecosystem Assessment Models), a new global framework evaluating how water infrastructure and environmental change shape river ecosystem processes. Work will focus on generating time-varying global indicators describing physical and ecological change in river systems. For this hiring round, sediment continuity and geomorphic alteration will be among the highest priorities.
Possible research topics include: (1) Process-based modeling of sediment continuity and geomorphic alteration, including representation of multiple grain-size classes and mixed transport processes (see e.g., here, for examples); (2) Global indicators of river temperature, water quality, and biodiversity response to regulated flow and sediment regimes, depending on candidate expertise.
Researchers will collaborate with project partners to ensure consistent integration of physical, ecological, and human-influence datasets across the REAMS framework.
Qualifications: Applicants should hold (or about to receive) a PhD in geomorphology, hydrology, water resources engineering or management, aquatic ecology, or a related field. Strong quantitative skills and proven experience with numerical modeling and scientific programming (preferably R or Python) are essential. Expertise in sediment transport or fluvial geomorphology is highly desirable for this hiring round.
Candidates should demonstrate ability to develop numerical or statistical models and analyze large datasets; a record of scholarly publication is advantageous. Experience with remote sensing, geospatial analysis, or machine learning is considered a plus, as is experience working on regional-to-global scales. Strong communication skills and interest in working within a multi-institutional research team are important.
Responsibilities: The Postdoctoral Researcher will deliver scientific tasks assigned within the project’s work packages, tailored to their expertise. Responsibilities include developing and applying numerical and geospatial models, assembling and analyzing datasets, and contributing to global indicators within the REAMS framework. Additional duties include preparing peer-reviewed publications, presenting results at conferences, and collaborating with project partners. Postdoctoral Researchers are also expected to provide mentorship to students, contribute to coordination across work packages, and participate in the intellectual life of the RS³ Lab. Interest in supporting proposal development or small grant efforts is welcome.
Terms of Appointment: The position is a two-year appointment, with potential extension based on performance, project needs, and funding availability. Extensions may be prioritized for candidates interested in contributing across multiple components of the REAMS framework.
Salary follows UC Santa Barbara Postdoctoral Scholar scales and will be commensurate with experience. The position provides access to computational resources, opportunities for international collaboration, and support for conference travel and professional development.
Application procedure. Applicants are to submit a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications, graduate transcript, 1 or 2 key publications, and the names and contact information for at least three references. The anticipated hire date is March/April 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Questions can be directed to Dr. Rafael Schmitt.
