Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Description

Posting Number: SP005253P
Division/College: College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Department: Soils and Water Systems
Location: Moscow

Posting Context Statement:

Develops alternative futures and resilience pathways by translating model outputs into spatial and temporal scenarios for a regional testbed. Applies integrated modeling approaches to evaluate climate and resource dynamics and supports scenario-based planning. Engages with community partners to incorporate stakeholder perspectives and align outputs with local priorities. Produces interactive visualizations and communication materials to support decision-making. Contributes to interdisciplinary collaboration and project integration across research components.

Position Overview:

Supports interdisciplinary research on energy–water resilience by developing and applying spatial and computational models of coupled human–environment systems under climate, population, technological, and governance stressors. Integrates quantitative and qualitative data to produce alternative futures and decision-support tools, and collaborates with research teams and community partners to ensure outputs reflect local priorities and inform adaptation planning.

Duties may include:

• Develop spatially explicit computational models using machine learning, hydrologic, and energy system approaches
• Analyze large, interdisciplinary datasets spanning biophysical, social, and governance domains
• Integrate quantitative model outputs with qualitative inputs including local and Indigenous knowledge
• Produce geospatial scenarios, vulnerability indicators, and decision-support tools
• Collaborate with research teams and community partners to support model development and application
• Mentor students and develop training materials related to energy–water resilience and futures analysis
• Other duties as assigned

Required Experience:

• Experience in computational or statistical modeling of environmental, social, or coupled human–environment systems
• Experience managing, processing, and analyzing large and/or heterogeneous datasets, including quantitative and/or qualitative data
• Experience working with project partners and interdisciplinary research teams

Required Education:

• PhD in environmental science, hydrology, civil or environmental engineering, geography, computational social science, or a related field with a focus on quantitative modeling and/or data science at the time of hiring

Required Other:

• Ability to travel

Additional Preferred:

• Experience publishing in peer-reviewed literature and communicating to scientific audiences
• Experience in energy–water systems, climate resilience, climate scenario modeling, or socio-environmental systems research
• Experience analyzing quantitative and qualitative datasets and integrating geospatial data into modeling
• Experience with machine learning, hydrologic modeling, or energy systems modeling (e.g., ParFlow, WEPPCloud, agent-based models)
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, R) and geospatial tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS), spatial statistics, or cloud computing
• Experience working in collaborative research teams
• Valid driver’s license and be able to successfully pass a driver’s record check

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: None

Degree Requirement: Listed degree qualification is required at time of application
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employee Category: Exempt
Pay Range: Commensurate with experience
Type of Appointment: Fiscal Year
FTE: 1.0
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Funding: This position is contingent upon the continuation of work and/or funding.
A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy: Yes

Posting Date: 05/01/2026
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applications received by May 15, 2026, will receive first consideration.

IMPORTANT: To be considered, your “Letter of Qualification” must address EACH of the minimum qualifications, including pertinent education and/or experience. In addition, to improve your ranking during the evaluation process, address as many of the Preferred Qualifications as possible. Information on a resume will not be accepted as a substitute for submitting a Letter of Qualification.

If you would like to receive a full position description, please email Aaron Chastain at achastain@uidaho.edu and request that one be sent to you.

Along with your letter of qualification, please submit your unofficial transcripts and samples of your work under “other documents 1-3”

Visa sponsorship is only available for J1

Applicant Resources: https://www.uidaho.edu/human-resources/careers/applicant-resources
Background Check Statement:

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

To apply, visit https://uidaho.peopleadmin.com/postings/51447

The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.