Posting Details
Position Information
| Posting Number | F00711P |
|---|---|
| Position Title | Post Doctoral Research Associate |
| Department | Civil Engineering |
| Location | Arlington |
| Job Family | Faculty |
| Position Status | Full-time |
| Rank | Non-Tenured |
| Work Hours | Standard |
| Open to | External and Internal |
| FLSA | Exempt |
| Duration | Job terminates |
| Pay Basis | Monthly |
| Benefits Eligible | Yes |
| Job Summary | Water Engineering Research Center and the Department of Civil Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate.The position focuses on applying AI, machine learning, and advanced hydrologic modeling to projects in flood forecasting, remote sensing data assimilation, hydraulic modeling, environmental flows, and decision-support systems. The role involves developing and integrating computational modeling tools to assess future energy-water dynamics and resilience strategies for Texas communities.Ideal candidates should have strong computational and scientific skills and are interested in tackling high-impact, real-world water challenges in collaboration with federal and state agencies, industry partners, and multi-university teams. |
| Benefits at UTA | We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all our employees at the University.To help you understand the full value of these benefits, we have created a tool that calculates the total worth of your compensation package. This tool takes into account all of the benefits that you are eligible for, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. To access this tool and learn more about the total value of your benefits, please click on the following link: https://resources.uta.edu/hr/services/records/compensation-tools.php |
| CBC Requirement | It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington to conduct a criminal background check on any applicant who is under final consideration for employment with the University.This position may have access to critical infrastructure as defined by Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. If so, to be hired for and continue to be employed in this position you must maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure as set forth in Texas Executive Order GA-48. By assuming this position, and if you have access to critical infrastructure, you authorize the University to conduct routine background checks. |
| Essential Duties and Responsibilities | Research & Technical Development – 35%Develop, test, and deploy AI/ML models for:Flood forecasting (nowcasting and short-term prediction)Rainfall estimation and downscalingRemote-sensing fusion (e.g. radar, satellite, SWOT, SMAP, GOES, etc.)Hydrodynamic model optimization and surrogate modelingInfrastructure risk assessment and resilience analyticsIntegrate AI methods with physics-based hydrologic and hydraulic models (e.g., WRF-Hydro, HEC-RAS, OpenFOAM, GSSHA, Delft3D, EFDC, etc.).Data Engineering & Computational Workflows – 35%Curate, preprocess, and analyze large environmental datasets (meteorological, hydrological, hydraulic, traffic, LiDAR, and DEM/BLE datasets).Build reproducible pipelines in Python/R/Julia/SQL for big data geospatial applications.Utilize cloud and HPC resources for model training, data assimilation, and simulation.Project Leadership & Collaboration – 10%Lead technical tasks across multi-institution research teams.Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, and conference papers.Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.Engage with agency stakeholders to translate research into operational tools.Proposal Development & Outreach – 20%Contribute to competitive grant proposals (NASA, NSF, NOAA, USACE, TWDB, DOE, etc.).Participate in stakeholder workshops, extension/outreach activities, and community engagement related to flood resilience, water management, and environmental flows. |
| Required Qualifications | Ph.D. in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Hydro informatics, Computer Science, Earth System Science, or related fields.Strong background in machine learning, deep learning, or data assimilation.Experience with scientific programming (Python, R, MATLAB, etc.) and geospatial tools (ArcGIS, QGIS, GDAL, GeoPandas, etc.).Demonstrated publication records in hydrology, AI/ML, or water resources engineering. |
| Preferred Qualifications | Experience with:LLMs, graph neural networks, transformers, or physics-informed neural networks (PINNs).Cloud computing (AWS, Azure, Google Earth Engine).HPC workflows (SLURM, Singularity, Docket).Working with large datasets (NEXRAD, IMERG, ERA5, DHIs, BLE/HEC-RAS models).Familiarity with engineering design standards, extreme rainfall analysis, or flood risk managementStrong written and verbal communication skillsStrong project and time management skillsStrong conceptual, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.Problem-solving and decision-making skills.Ability to acquire accurate and reproducible data |
| Special Conditions for Eligibility | |
| Department Information | WERC, a new engineering research center at UTA, develops innovative, data-driven technologies for water challenges—including flooding, stormwater, water supply, quality, and resilience—using machine learning, sensing, and predictive modeling. Recognized statewide and nationally under UTA’s RISE 100 initiative, WERC translates science and engineering into practical solutions.UTA’s Department of Civil Engineering is a nationally recognized program known for cutting-edge research and strong industry partnerships. With leading expertise across advanced construction materials, structural engineering, transportation and water resources, the department drives innovation in sustainable and resilient infrastructure while delivering exceptional education and training for the next generation of civil engineers.UTA’s College of Engineering is the most comprehensive engineering program in North Texas, with 12 baccalaureates, 13 master’s and nine doctoral programs. Students from around the world work with award-winning faculty in state-of-the-art facilities, acquiring the knowledge and skills they’ll need to create viable solutions to the most pressing problems of today and the future. |
| University Information | The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metroplex, a vibrant and diverse metropolitan area that is home to over 7 million people, one of the fastest-growing tech economies in the United States, and a wide array of arts, entertainment, and cultural activities. As a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution, UTA is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of more than 42,000 students, UTA is the second largest in the University of Texas System. As a result of its combination of rigorous academics and innovative research, UTA is designated as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution and nationally recognized for its commitment to student success and service. It ranks No. 5 in Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Colleges” and is the top university in North Texas for its graduates’ salaries (The Wall Street Journal). UTA is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and is No. 6 for undergraduate ethnic diversity in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023). With a global alumni network of approximately 280,000 – including leaders at many of the 24 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas – UTA contributes an estimated $29 billion annually to the Texas economy.UTA is expanding its regional footprint by building a regional campus, called UTA West, in Parker County on the far west side of Fort Worth. It is scheduled to open in fall 2028. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategic growth and commitment to serving the broader community. Furthermore, UTA has launched the RISE 100 initiative, aiming to recruit 100 new tenure-system faculty to strengthen its research enterprise and leadership in key academic areas. Learn more at https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/strategic-plan/rise100.This is an exciting time to join UTA and contribute to its bold vision for the future. |
| Working Title | |
| EEO Statement | It is the policy of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or The University) to provide an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. In accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. The University also prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally-protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure the University’s compliance with this policy. |
| ADA Accommodations | The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 817-272-5554 or email ADADocs@uta.edu. |
Posting Detail Information
| Number of Vacancies | 1 |
|---|---|
| Desired Start Date | 02/02/2026 |
| Open Date | 01/21/2026 |
| Review Start Date | |
| Open Until Filled | Yes |
| Special Instructions to Applicants | To apply, applicants should go to https://uta.peopleadmin.com/postings/33088 and submit the following materials:Required Documents:Curriculum VitaeCover LetterContact information for 2 referencesReview of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early for the best consideration.Questions may be addressed to Nick Fang at nickfang@uta.edu.For more information about UTA, please visit: http://www.uta.edu/uta. |
Requirement Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover/Interest Letter
Optional Documents
