Postdoctoral Fellow - Global Water Security Center - 526648

Pay Grade/Pay Range:  Minimum: $48,600 - Midpoint: $60,800 (Salaried E7)

Department/Organization: 750502 - Global Water Security Center

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for hybrid work subject to University policy.

Job Summary: The Postdoctoral Fellow provides for an internship and continuation of scholarly activity and research after achieving the PhD or other doctoral degree under the direction of a senior faculty member who serves as a mentor for the postdoctoral appointee.

Additional Department Summary: The Global Water Security Center (GWSC) seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow that is passionate about addressing global environmental challenges in the real world. GWSC is a research-to-operations center, and involves a range of research activities from exploratory analysis to development and implementation of data workflow to data visualization and communication. GWSC works closely with other researchers across a range of disciplines to analyze water, weather, climate, and environmental data to solve water security issues.

GWSC is an applied research and operational center commissioned to respond to our nation’s need for water and environmental security insights. GWSC will inform national security partners and others with global interests in water and environmental security. Our partners will include the Department of Defense (DoD), other US Government agencies, private companies, and data producers from federal agencies and academia.

This is a one year position renewable for up to three years. Continuation in this position is contingent upon availability of external funding derived from research programs or specific projects.

Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Ph.D. in environmental science, hydrology, economics, geography, psychology, computer science or related field and some experience with environmental data and large data sets.

Due to requirements of the funding source, must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident.

Skills and Knowledge: Self-starter, analytically creative, willing to brainstorm, and inquisitive. Experience with and understanding of environmental data. Experience managing and analyzing large, multi-dimensional datasets. Experience with both spatial and temporal statistics, including experience with non-normally distributed data and statistical analyses including regressions, t-tests, nonparametric tests, power analyses, multivariate and/or ordination techniques. Demonstrable knowledge in a programming language or languages often applied to environmental datasets; examples could include R, Python, mySQL, MATLAB and JavaScript, or other GIScience.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in developing scientific data management tools/processes to manage large volumes of data originating from sensors or other continuous data sources. Knowledge of a variety of machine learning techniques (clustering, decision tree learning, artificial neural networks, etc.) and their real-world advantages/drawbacks. Experience with Bayesian statistics a plus. Experience with censored datasets a plus. Proven record in writing successful research proposals. Demonstrated ability of working in a multidisciplinary environment.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.