Inside Higher Ed
Hydrogeologist - Assistant Scientist or Associate Scientist
Inside Higher Ed, Lawrence, Kansas, us, 66045
Hydrogeologist - Assistant Scientist or Associate Scientist
Position Overview—The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kansas (KU) is seeking a physical hydrogeologist to develop and lead a research program of international stature using both traditional and cutting‑edge aquifer characterization and assessment techniques to investigate groundwater resource questions of relevance to Kansas.
Scientists at the KGS are state‑funded, faculty‑equivalent academic staff with sabbatical eligibility. Scientific staff are expected to develop research programs that are of international stature and highly relevant to Kansas, as outlined in the KGS promotion procedures. Scientific staff also typically have courtesy appointments with one or more academic departments providing them the opportunity to teach and serve as advisors of graduate research if desired. We anticipate hiring at the Assistant or Associate Scientist level, depending on qualifications.
About the KGS and KU—The KGS is a research and service center at KU that conducts fundamental and applied research significant to Kansas. Within the KGS, the Geohydrology program conducts research on hydrologic and hydrogeochemical systems ranging in scale from site‑specific to river basin and regional aquifers. The Geohydrology program has ~30 individuals including seven full‑time scientists, technical support personnel, graduate students, and postdocs. Current areas of research include physical, stratigraphic, and geochemical characterization of sedimentary aquifer systems; surface‑water/groundwater interactions; solute fate & transport in river networks; spatial data analysis/geostatistics; assessment of sustainable yields in complex hydrologic systems; simulation of flow and transport processes; technology for subsurface characterization; quantifying impacts of conservation strategies on water resources; and human‑water interactions. The group maintains a program of public information and education and has extensive interactions with water research and management entities at the local, state, and federal levels. Section staff have been nationally recognized for their excellence in research and for the quality of their technical reviews.
Job Description—85% Research—Develop and lead a research program with an emphasis on regional‑ and field‑scale aquifer characterization and groundwater resource assessment. Conduct fundamental and applied research that is both of international stature and highly relevant to Kansas. Collaborate within and beyond the KGS to carry out hydrogeological research projects. Communicate the results of research in peer‑reviewed publications and to both scientific and lay audiences. Develop research proposals for external funding.
Service—15%—Serve the institution, university, and discipline through activities such as supporting KGS efforts in the areas of technical service and communication and public information; interacting with public, university, government, and industry; serving as peer reviewers and editors of technical journals; participating in professional scientific and industrial organizations; serving on University and KGS committees as assigned or in response to opportunities; participating in professional and governmental organizations that deal with Kansas and U.S. water resources; working with students and visiting scientists when it complements and enhances research programs.
Required Qualifications – Assistant Scientist
Ph.D. degree in earth sciences or engineering with a focus on physical aquifer characterization and/or groundwater resource assessment. Degree must be completed prior to appointment start date.
Demonstrated knowledge of theoretical principles of physical hydrogeology, as evidenced in application materials.
Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of hydrogeological field methods, as demonstrated by previous work experience.
Experience with collaborative research in hydrogeology, as evidenced by application materials.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, as shown by peer‑reviewed publications and presentations.
Required Qualifications – Associate Scientist
Ph.D. degree in earth sciences or engineering with a focus on physical aquifer characterization and/or groundwater resource assessment with at least six years of experience in these areas in a faculty‑equivalent position.
Demonstrated knowledge of theoretical principles of physical hydrogeology, as evidenced in application materials.
Demonstrated experience with a variety of hydrogeological field methods, as demonstrated by previous work experience.
Six years of experience leading collaborative research in hydrogeology, as evidenced by application materials.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, as shown by an established record of peer‑reviewed publications and presentations.
Preferred Qualifications – Assistant Scientist
Extensive experience with hydrogeological field methods.
Demonstrated knowledge of the variety of disciplines and methods used in physical hydrogeological research.
Experience with groundwater resource assessment in heavily stressed aquifers.
Experience interacting with stakeholders such as water managers, state agencies, NGOs, or the public.
Preferred Qualifications – Associate Scientist
Demonstrated experience developing advanced hydrogeological field methods.
Demonstrated experience with projects involving integration of information from a variety of disciplines and methods used in physical hydrogeological research.
Six years of experience with groundwater resource assessment in heavily stressed aquifers.
Six years of experience interacting with stakeholders such as water managers, state agencies, NGOs, or the public.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Cover letter detailing application to specific rank, research experience, interests, and how the candidate meets the required and preferred qualifications (not to exceed 3 pages).
Full CV.
A peer‑review publication the applicant believes showcases their research interests and expertise.
Contact information for 3 professional references.
Review of applications will begin October 17, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified. Interviews will be tentatively scheduled in January 2026, with a tentative start date of June 1, 2026; the exact start date is negotiable. For additional information, contact Scott Ishman, sishman@ku.edu. For HR questions, contact Annette Delaney, adelaney@ku.edu, 785‑864‑2152. Advertised Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Application Review Begins Friday, October 17, 2025. Anticipated Start Date: Monday, June 1, 2026. Apply to Job.
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Scientists at the KGS are state‑funded, faculty‑equivalent academic staff with sabbatical eligibility. Scientific staff are expected to develop research programs that are of international stature and highly relevant to Kansas, as outlined in the KGS promotion procedures. Scientific staff also typically have courtesy appointments with one or more academic departments providing them the opportunity to teach and serve as advisors of graduate research if desired. We anticipate hiring at the Assistant or Associate Scientist level, depending on qualifications.
About the KGS and KU—The KGS is a research and service center at KU that conducts fundamental and applied research significant to Kansas. Within the KGS, the Geohydrology program conducts research on hydrologic and hydrogeochemical systems ranging in scale from site‑specific to river basin and regional aquifers. The Geohydrology program has ~30 individuals including seven full‑time scientists, technical support personnel, graduate students, and postdocs. Current areas of research include physical, stratigraphic, and geochemical characterization of sedimentary aquifer systems; surface‑water/groundwater interactions; solute fate & transport in river networks; spatial data analysis/geostatistics; assessment of sustainable yields in complex hydrologic systems; simulation of flow and transport processes; technology for subsurface characterization; quantifying impacts of conservation strategies on water resources; and human‑water interactions. The group maintains a program of public information and education and has extensive interactions with water research and management entities at the local, state, and federal levels. Section staff have been nationally recognized for their excellence in research and for the quality of their technical reviews.
Job Description—85% Research—Develop and lead a research program with an emphasis on regional‑ and field‑scale aquifer characterization and groundwater resource assessment. Conduct fundamental and applied research that is both of international stature and highly relevant to Kansas. Collaborate within and beyond the KGS to carry out hydrogeological research projects. Communicate the results of research in peer‑reviewed publications and to both scientific and lay audiences. Develop research proposals for external funding.
Service—15%—Serve the institution, university, and discipline through activities such as supporting KGS efforts in the areas of technical service and communication and public information; interacting with public, university, government, and industry; serving as peer reviewers and editors of technical journals; participating in professional scientific and industrial organizations; serving on University and KGS committees as assigned or in response to opportunities; participating in professional and governmental organizations that deal with Kansas and U.S. water resources; working with students and visiting scientists when it complements and enhances research programs.
Required Qualifications – Assistant Scientist
Ph.D. degree in earth sciences or engineering with a focus on physical aquifer characterization and/or groundwater resource assessment. Degree must be completed prior to appointment start date.
Demonstrated knowledge of theoretical principles of physical hydrogeology, as evidenced in application materials.
Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of hydrogeological field methods, as demonstrated by previous work experience.
Experience with collaborative research in hydrogeology, as evidenced by application materials.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, as shown by peer‑reviewed publications and presentations.
Required Qualifications – Associate Scientist
Ph.D. degree in earth sciences or engineering with a focus on physical aquifer characterization and/or groundwater resource assessment with at least six years of experience in these areas in a faculty‑equivalent position.
Demonstrated knowledge of theoretical principles of physical hydrogeology, as evidenced in application materials.
Demonstrated experience with a variety of hydrogeological field methods, as demonstrated by previous work experience.
Six years of experience leading collaborative research in hydrogeology, as evidenced by application materials.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, as shown by an established record of peer‑reviewed publications and presentations.
Preferred Qualifications – Assistant Scientist
Extensive experience with hydrogeological field methods.
Demonstrated knowledge of the variety of disciplines and methods used in physical hydrogeological research.
Experience with groundwater resource assessment in heavily stressed aquifers.
Experience interacting with stakeholders such as water managers, state agencies, NGOs, or the public.
Preferred Qualifications – Associate Scientist
Demonstrated experience developing advanced hydrogeological field methods.
Demonstrated experience with projects involving integration of information from a variety of disciplines and methods used in physical hydrogeological research.
Six years of experience with groundwater resource assessment in heavily stressed aquifers.
Six years of experience interacting with stakeholders such as water managers, state agencies, NGOs, or the public.
Additional Candidate Instructions
Cover letter detailing application to specific rank, research experience, interests, and how the candidate meets the required and preferred qualifications (not to exceed 3 pages).
Full CV.
A peer‑review publication the applicant believes showcases their research interests and expertise.
Contact information for 3 professional references.
Review of applications will begin October 17, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified. Interviews will be tentatively scheduled in January 2026, with a tentative start date of June 1, 2026; the exact start date is negotiable. For additional information, contact Scott Ishman, sishman@ku.edu. For HR questions, contact Annette Delaney, adelaney@ku.edu, 785‑864‑2152. Advertised Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Application Review Begins Friday, October 17, 2025. Anticipated Start Date: Monday, June 1, 2026. Apply to Job.
#J-18808-Ljbffr