Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Company: The University of Arizona

Job Location: Tucson, 85724

Category: Geology, Earth Sciences, and Oceanography

Type: Full-Time

Posting Number: req25564

Department: Sch of Nat Resource&Enviro-Res

Location: Tucson Campus

Address: 1064 E Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona's School of Natural Resources and the Environment seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead SnowSmart Forestry, advancing forest management for snow, water, and wildfire resilience. The Postdoctoral Scholar will use hyper-resolution snow modeling (SnowPALM) and three years of Colorado watershed data to design thinning prescriptions, test them on 40 acres of ponderosa pine, and monitor impacts with drone LiDAR, Snowtography, and vegetation surveys.

What we offer:

• Salary: NIH Salary Guidelines + competitive benefits.
• Initial 1-year appointment, renewable up to 3 years with annual raises.
• Mentorship from leading scientists Dr. Joel Biederman, (USDA) and Dr. William K. Smith (U Arizona), Dr. Patrick Broxton (U Arizona).
• Location: Tucson, AZ - affordable, vibrant, and outdoors-focused, with travel to Colorado.

This role offers hands-on research, collaboration across disciplines, and career-building connections in forestry, water, and environmental sectors.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead big data processing and analysis efforts.
• Develop a data integration and SnowPALM modeling workflow that supports complex forest management scenario-based analyses.
• Test SnowPALM model performance at multiple field sites where we will be monitoring the impacts of management with drone LiDAR, Snowtography, and vegetation surveys.
• Participate in occasional field work at core Colorado field sites.
• Tucson-based, with travel to Colorado.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. (by end of 2025) in hydrology, engineering, computer science, atmospheric sciences, ecology, or related field.
• A proven publication track record.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Research

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: NIH Salary Guidelines, Depends on Experience

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Contact Information for Candidates

William K. Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Land-Water-Climate/Geospatial Analysis
wksmith@arizona.edu

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter

Apply Now