"Research Assistant 3 - Hydrologic & Hydraulic Engineer/Scientist"

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut (UConn) seeks applicants for the position of Research Assistant 3 at the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA). CIRCA is a multi-disciplinary center that coordinates applied research and engagement programs to develop and advance practical solutions to problems caused by changing climate.

The appointee will work in the research team supervised by the Associate Director of Research and lead applied hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for riverine and urban watersheds. Primary duties include developing, testing, and applying numerical models of rainfall-runoff and open-channel hydraulics in complex urban and rural settings to quantify flood depths, velocities, and risk; evaluating culvert/bridge performance and conveyance improvements; and translating results into clear products for engineers, municipal partners, and the public.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, develop, calibrate/validate, and execute flood risk simulations using community models (e.g., HEC-RAS, SWMM) for riverine, pluvial, and compound flooding.
• Perform applied hydraulics for crossings and channels: culvert/bridge capacity checks, inlet/outlet control, backwater effects, tailwater interactions, weir/orifice behavior, and debris sensitivity.
• Coordination of the planning, development, design, implementation, and evaluation of fieldwork/observation campaigns (flow measurements, cross-sections, channel/culvert inventories, survey control); manage QA/QC, metadata, and rating-curve development.
• Develop geospatial inputs/outputs (LiDAR/DEM prep, roughness assignment, hydrologic losses, design storms, boundary conditions); produce maps, profiles, and depth/velocity rasters suitable for design and stakeholder use.
• Assist in the preparation of journal articles.
• Conduct uncertainty and skill assessments; prepare technical memoranda, reports, and publications; present findings to municipalities, COGs, and state/federal partners.
• May participate in the planning and development of research proposals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. B.A. or B.S. and four to five years of post-degree experience or an M.A. or M.S. and two to four years of post-degree experience.
2. Experience using and evaluating modern community rainfall-runoff and floodplain models.
3. Experience with computing technology (e.g. Matlab, FORTRAN) and data management.
4. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. A record of peer-reviewed reports and publications.
2. Experience with fieldwork.
3. Flood plain manager or professional civil engineer certification.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, grant-funded, 12-month position. This position is subject to annual renewal, contingent on satisfactory performance and budget funding. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the American Association of University Professors UConn Chapter (AAUP).

Salary and benefits are competitive and will be commensurate with experience. The successful candidate’s academic appointment would start as soon as possible at the Avery Point campus in Groton, CT.

The successful incumbent must travel throughout the State of Connecticut and New England region and participate in occasional evening and weekend meetings. Additionally, the incumbent must be available to begin work at UConn Avery Point in Groton, Connecticut, within one month of the offer.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499470 and submit the following application materials: resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on April 10, 2026.