Postdoctoral Research Associate - Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences

Position Summary

This position will focus on integrating high-resolution field monitoring, remote sensing, and statistical and numerical modeling approaches to improve predictive flood hazard mapping. The postdoc will work as part of a larger, interdisciplinary research team to explore the connections between flood exposure, environmental pathogen prevalence, and human health.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Design, deploy, and maintain environmental sensor stations, including quarterly travel for installation and servicing to flood prone regions in Illinois and Mississippi.
• Apply computer vision and machine learning approaches to integrate ground-based imagery, remote sensing data, and lidar data for high-resolution flood detection and mapping.
• Develop and calibrate hydraulic flood models for each study site, informed by sensor networks and image-based observations.
• Conduct cross-disciplinary geospatial analyses linking modeled flooding patterns with soil pathogen and participant data to investigate flood-related health risks.
• Disseminate findings to the broader research community through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
• Participate in convergent research collaborative training and knowledge-sharing activities.

Working Conditions/Equipment:

• Ability to travel to off-campus locations regularly, trips can be 1-2 weeks long.
• Working in an outdoor field setting; ability to walk moderate distances over uneven ground.
• Ability to lift 35-40 lbs.
• Working with hand and power tools in laboratory setting.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment provided by the laboratory per EH&S guidelines.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.
 

• Applicant Special Instructions:
• Please submit the following documents with your application:
• Cover letter expressing your interest and highlighting your relevant experience.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a list of publications.
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Data Analysis, Scientific Writing

Driver'S License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Earth or Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Geography, Computer Science, or a related field at time of appointment. 
• Knowledge of hydrologic principles, flood monitoring methods, and environmental data analysis.
• Demonstrated quantitative and data analysis skills. 
• Demonstrated strengths in scientific writing and presentation skills. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in development of environmental sensor networks.
• Familiarity with hydraulic flood modeling approaches, such as HEC-RAS.
• Experience in computer vision/machine learning or remote sensing.
• Experience working as part of an interdisciplinary research team.
• Have a license to operate a motor vehicle in the United States or the ability to obtain such a license within 3 months of the date of hire.
• Ability to travel quarterly to two field sites for instrument maintenance and data collection.
• Show a commitment to promoting an inclusive and collaborative working environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications:

No additional certification unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

HEC-RAS, Machine Learning, Oral Communications, Remote Sensing, Written Communication

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

Eeo Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.