Water System Postdoctoral Researcher
About The Position
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Climate & Ecosystems Division within the Earth and Environmental Sciences Area is seeking a Water System Postdoctoral Researcher to study water infrastructure systems and their management under changing environmental and compounding stressors. The role uses data analysis and modeling to evaluate water-system vulnerabilities and identify adaptation strategies in response to environmental extremes, growing demand pressures, and land-use changes. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute primarily to a Lab Directed Research & Development project analyzing data-center water use and its impacts on water resources, and to the HyperFACETS project developing and analyzing Pacific West water-system models under drought scenarios. The researcher may also contribute to emerging water-systems science and resilience research through the National Alliance for Water Innovation. The position includes modeling and decision analytics under uncertainty, engagement with stakeholders and resource managers, and translating operational contexts into actionable scientific insights. This is a full-time, two-year postdoctoral appointment, with possible renewal based on satisfactory performance, continued funding, and operational needs. Candidates must have less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience. Work will be performed primarily at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. The position is union-represented. The monthly salary range is $6,790–$9,234, with an expected starting salary of $6,790 or above; salary is determined by postdoctoral step rates and relevant post-degree experience.
Requirements
- Recent PhD in Environmental Sciences or Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydrology, or another related technical discipline.
- Knowledge of state-of-the-art water infrastructure modeling tools and data sources.
- Knowledge of current Earth and climate modeling capabilities and limitations.
- Familiarity with theoretical frameworks for multisectoral resource management and decision-making under uncertainty.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in an integrated team and collaborate with colleagues at multiple institutions.
- Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
- Less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience.
Nice To Haves
- Experience engaging with practitioners at resource management organizations and facilitating discussions with them.
- Experience with the WEAP water systems model and/or Pywr water systems model.
Responsibilities
- Develop and apply water-system models to understand vulnerabilities, hazards, and implications of alternative management options.
- Analyze model outputs and observed data to assess model performance, evaluate sensitivities, quantify uncertainties, and support decision analysis.
- Engage with water and energy resource managers in working-group discussions to refine analysis of Pacific West water-system models under drought and other hydroclimatic scenarios.
- Communicate research findings through oral presentations, scientific meetings, technical discussions, and peer-reviewed publications.
- Work effectively in an integrated, interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional research environment.
- Analyze data-center water use and assess impacts on water resources as part of an LDRD project.
- Develop and analyze Pacific West water-system models under drought scenarios as part of the HyperFACETS project.
- Potentially contribute to water-systems science and resilience research through NAWI.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options.
- 24 days of personal time off per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays.
- Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs.
- Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association opportunities for networking, social events, professional development, and scientific exchange.
- A collaborative and inclusive culture supporting research growth and belonging.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
