About Us
Georgia Southern University is the state’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher learning south of Atlanta, and one of the most dynamic public universities in the Southeast.
Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern has grown from a single-purpose college into a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution with 149 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels, serving 31,600 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and more than 100 nations.
Four distinct campuses extend Georgia Southern’s reach across the region: a 900-acre quintessential college campus in Statesboro, anchored by Georgian-style red-brick buildings set among oaks and pines; the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, minutes from historic downtown and a short drive from the beaches of Tybee Island; a modern, purpose-built facility in Hinesville serving local and military-affiliated students; and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro, an outdoor oasis nestled on a 385-acre pine forest, offering expanded pathways to higher education for students across southeast Georgia.
Through ten colleges, the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Science and Mathematics, the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, the Parker College of Business, the Waters College of Health Professions and University College, Georgia Southern delivers academic programs backed by real-world experience, research with regional and national impact, and a faculty committed to helping every student go further than they thought possible.
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and holding specialized accreditation across its professional programs, Georgia Southern prepares graduates who are ready to lead, contribute and soar beyond, in Georgia, across the nation and around the world.
For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
Location
Savannah, GA
Department Information
Institute for Water and Health
Job Summary
The Institute for Water and Health (IWH) at Georgia Southern University seeks a motivated postdoctoral researcher to support groundwater modeling and hydrogeology in ongoing projects across Southeast Georgia. The successful candidate will lead groundwater research projects focused on coastal aquifers and saltwater intrusion.
The position combines numerical groundwater modeling, field monitoring of well water levels and salinity, and data science to understand how aquifers respond to pumping, sea level, and climate. The postdoc will also conduct solute fate and transport modeling, publish results, and communicate findings to agencies and stakeholders.
This position is time limited and 100% sponsored-funded; therefore, continued employment is contingent upon availability of grant or contract funding.
Responsibilities
- Design, install, and maintain a field well-level monitoring network, including pressure transducers, data loggers, and manual water-level and specific conductance measurements
- Develop, calibrate, and apply numerical groundwater flow models (e.g., MODFLOW 6) to evaluate aquifer conditions and water resources
- Develop variable-density models (e.g., SEAWAT, SUTRA, or MODFLOW 6) to assess saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers and evaluate management scenarios
- Conduct solute fate and transport modeling to evaluate the movement of salinity and contaminants in groundwater
- Manage, quality-check, and analyze monitoring data using statistical and data science methods (time series analysis, trend detection, spatial analysis) in R or Python
- Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations, and summaries for agencies and stakeholders
- Contribute to grant proposals and help train students in field and modeling methods
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
- PhD degree in a relevant field (hydrogeology, hydrology, civil or environmental engineering, geology, or a closely related field), completed by the start date
Required Experience
- Demonstrated experience developing and calibrating numerical groundwater flow models (e.g., MODFLOW)
- Demonstrated experience collecting groundwater field data
- Demonstrated experience analyzing environmental data in R or Python
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Educational Qualifications
- Ph.D. research focused on coastal hydrogeology
Preferred Experience
- Variable-density modeling of saltwater intrusion (SEAWAT, SUTRA, or MODFLOW 6)
- Fate and transport modeling (MT3D-USGS, MODFLOW 6 GWT, or FEFLOW)
- Model calibration and uncertainty analysis
- Record of peer-reviewed publications
Proposed Salary
$65,000
This is an exempt position paid on a monthly basis.
Required Documents to Attach
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Two (2) Professional References
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
ABILITIES
- Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
- Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
- Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and complete tasks
- Ability to explain technical results to non-technical audiences
KNOWLEDGE
- Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University’s mission for student success
- Knowledge of coastal aquifer hydrogeology and groundwater¿surface water interactions
- Demonstrated research experience from designing research questions to dissemination of results
SKILLS
- Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills
- Skill in statistical analysis, time series analysis, and data visualization
- Strong attention to detail with excellent analytical, judgment, and problem-solving capabilities
Apply Before Date
Open Until Filled
Application review may begin on November 11, 2026.
Contact Information
For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at (912) 478-6947 or by email at hrservice@georgiasouthern.edu.
For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Conditions of Employment
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.
Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.
Legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment.
Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community.
Employment contingent on availability of soft grant/contract fund.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947.
Other Information
- Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation
- Workweek may occasionally extend beyond 40 hours
- Operating motor vehicle equipment (position is required to drive)
- Travel may be required
- Work performed in indoor and outdoor environments
- May be required to maneuver items weighing up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation
Background Check
- Position of Trust + Education
