Sr. Research Scientist

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

A Senior Research Scientist position is available in the Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering (FABE) within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University (OSU). The Senior Research Scientist will provide scientific leadership in a research program focused on hydrologic transport processes, transit time distributions (TTDs), and legacy phosphorus (P) dynamics in tile-drained and ditch-drained agricultural systems. This position centers on advancing fundamental and applied understanding of how engineered drainage networks alter hydrologic flow paths, water residence times, and nutrient transport across field to watershed scales, with emphasis on intensively managed agricultural landscapes such as the Western Lake Erie Basin. The Senior Research Scientist will be responsible for defining and leading innovative research directions, developing novel modeling and analytical frameworks, and integrating field experimentation, numerical modeling, and data-driven approaches to address complex environmental challenges. The role requires a high level of scientific creativity, independence, and leadership, with expectations to contribute to the development of new concepts, methods, and research frontiers with broad applicability. The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping research priorities, leading proposal development, securing extramural funding, and building collaborative partnerships with academic institutions, agencies, and stakeholders at regional, national, and international levels. This is a term position initially funded for approximately two years, with continuation contingent upon performance and success in securing additional external funding.

Requirements

• PhD in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, or a closely related field
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant research experience beyond the doctoral degree
• Demonstrated record of independent research, scientific innovation, and peer-reviewed publications
• Experience with hydrologic and/or water quality modeling frameworks (e.g., MODFLOW, MODPATH, SWAT, or similar tools)
• Strong analytical and computational skills, including proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or MATLAB

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in subsurface drainage systems, agricultural hydrology, and nutrient transport processes
• Experience in transit time analysis, tracer studies, or residence time modeling
• Demonstrated ability to develop novel modeling approaches or conceptual frameworks
• Record of leading or contributing to externally funded research projects, with potential to secure independent funding
• Experience integrating field data with modeling and data-driven approaches
• Proficiency in geospatial analysis tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
• Evidence of scientific leadership and engagement in national or international research communities
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams

Responsibilities

• Defining and leading innovative research directions
• Developing novel modeling and analytical frameworks
• Integrating field experimentation, numerical modeling, and data-driven approaches to address complex environmental challenges
• Shaping research priorities
• Leading proposal development
• Securing extramural funding
• Building collaborative partnerships with academic institutions, agencies, and stakeholders at regional, national, and international levels

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees