Postdoctoral Researcher (Sustainable Agricultural Systems & Wastewater Management)

Agency

Department

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The postdoctoral Researcher will join an interdisciplinary research program in livestock waste and wastewater management, focusing on developing sustainable agricultural solutions in Texas. The primary research focus includes livestock waste treatment, nutrient recovery, algae-based systems, composting, soil amendments, and the fate of manure-borne emerging pollutants in soil and water systems.

The Researcher will also have opportunities to contribute to complementary research areas such as AI/ML applications, watershed hydrology, climate-smart agriculture, and extreme event analysis (floods and droughts). The role involves addressing complex soil–water–waste interactions using experimental, field-based, and data-driven approaches.

This position is funded by a grant or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding.

The salary is determined in accordance with the University’s compensation structure and will be commensurate with the candidates’ education and experience, within the assigned salary range for this position. 

Responsibilities:

• Supports the Principal Investigator in research on livestock waste management, nutrient recovery, algae-based systems for biofertilizer and soil health improvement, and the fate of emerging pollutants in soil and water.
• Conducts research on soil–water–waste interactions using field, laboratory, and modeling approaches, including data-driven methods such as AI/ML.
• Prepares scientific reports, peer-reviewed publications, and research proposals.
• Contributes to related efforts in watershed processes, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable resource management.
• Participates in outreach, training, and demonstration activities; Participates in all college-wide events; presents findings at conferences and workshops; collaborates with researchers and technical staff; and mentor students.
• Supports the university’s mission of excellence in research, teaching, and service through active engagement in interdisciplinary and applied research programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• No prior experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated background in areas such as soil and water systems, environmental modeling, wastewater or livestock waste management, or data analytics.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills relevant to environmental systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with laboratory analytical techniques and/or field research design and implementation across different scales.
• Strong computational skills, including programming experience in Python, R, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar languages.
• Familiarity with artificial intelligence/machine learning and spatial and temporal data analysis.
• Experience with field and laboratory instrumentation (e.g., soil moisture sensors, data loggers, sensor networks, automated data acquisition systems).
• Demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals or strong potential to do so.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Highly motivated and capable of working independently

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.