Research Scientist I, Hydrogeology

University of Idaho
University of Idaho

USD 90k-90k / year

Posted on Jun 25, 2026

Position Details

Position Information
Internal Posting?
Posting Number SP005330P
Position Title Research Scientist I, Hydrogeology
Division/College College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Department IWRRI
Location Boise
Posting Context Statement
We invite applications from collaborative and innovative researchers committed to interdisciplinary approaches in water science and management. We are seeking a Research Scientist with expertise in hydrogeology and numerical groundwater flow modeling (including Modflow) with interests in co-production of research with a wide range of stakeholders and partners. This position is housed in IWRRI and is a non-tenure track research appointment with no formal teaching responsibilities.
Position Overview
Serves as an independent researcher, or a collaborator on a multi-scholar research initiative. May have lead responsibility for discrete components of a larger project under the general direction of a senior or principal researcher.

Duties may include:
  • Perform complex scientific analyses
  • Adjust experimental designs as necessary based on experimental data analysis
  • Direct the development of recommendations for project solutions
  • Perform peer review of scientific projects, studies, or applications and making recommendations
  • Prepare peer reviewed publications or presentations
  • Resolve complex project specific technical and regulatory issues
  • Establish work priorities and performance standards, hiring, training, evaluating staff, assigning, and reviewing work
  • May be responsible for technical project management to include developing the scope of work, budgeting, scheduling, reporting, implementing field projects, and approving scientific documents
  • Other duties as assigned
Unit URL
Position Qualifications
Required Experience
  • Three years of research experience related to the domain of this position
Required Education
  • Doctoral Degree in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Engineering, Environmental Science or other related discipline; Master’s Degree plus an additional two years of research experience (5 years total) may be substituted for a Ph.D.
Required Other
  • None
Additional Preferred
  • Demonstrated expertise in hydrogeology, numerical groundwater flow modeling and experience developing MODFLOW models for groundwater systems
  • Two years of experience beyond PhD, or MS with 4 years’ experience
  • Technical proficiency with quantitative data analytics and workflows (e.g. R, Python, GIS, Modflow, GitHub)
  • Experience with experimental design and complex data analysis
  • Demonstrating ability to work independently
  • Experience conducting research across multiple disciplines and a record of success working effectively in collaborative, cross-disciplinary teams
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including peer-reviewed journals and experience communicating with non-academic audiences
  • Record of 2 or more lead-author publications in peer-reviewed journals
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
  • None
Degree Requirement Listed degree qualification is required at time of application
Posting Information
FLSA Status Exempt
Employee Category Exempt
Pay Range $90,000 annually or higher, commensurate with experience
Type of Appointment Fiscal Year
FTE
1.0
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Funding This position is contingent upon the continuation of work and/or funding.
A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy. No
Posting Date 06/22/2026
Closing Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications received by July 23, 2026, will receive first consideration.
Along with your online application, please provide:

  • CV including contact information for 3 professional references
  • 1-page Cover Letter describing your research interests, how you meet the required and preferred qualifications and how you envision contributing to the applied research mission of IWRRI
  • A 1 paragraph response to the following questions: (upload as PDF to Other Document 1 field)

    • Please describe your experience developing a hydrogeologic model. In your response, outline the assumptions you typically make, the data sources you rely on, and the tools or software you use.

The Idaho Water Resources Research Institute (IWRRI) is one of the nation’s 54 water research and technology centers. IWRRI coordinates research to support the water resource needs of the state of Idaho, the northwest region, and the nation. IWRRI also facilitates and develops innovative education and outreach programs that provide research-generated information to water managers, agency research scientists, and the public at large. IWRRI scientists conduct community-identified actionable water research with the opportunity to expand their research agenda by securing extramural competitive grants.
For questions, please contact:
Kendra Kaiser
Idaho Water Resources Research Institute
Email: kkaiser@uidaho.edu
Applicant Resources https://www.uidaho.edu/human-resources/careers/applicant-resources
Background Check Statement
Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.
EEO Statement
The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
  3. Other Document 1
Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
    • Academic Careers
    • Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
    • Chronicle
    • Facebook
    • HigherEd/Academic Impressions
    • Higher Ed Jobs
    • Idaho Department of Labor/Job Service including Job Central or Idaho Works (Idahoworks.gov)
    • Indeed.com
    • Inside Higher Ed
    • LinkedIn
    • Newspaper
    • Other Venue
    • Professional Listservs (Ex: NACUBO, AAAE, ISMC, etc.)
    • University of Idaho Website
    • University of Idaho Daily Register
    • University of Idaho Employee
    • Word of Mouth
    • Militaryjob.com
    • DSPSjobs.com
    • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
  2. * Were you referred to this employment opportunity by a current University of Idaho employee? If so, please provide their name and department.

    (Open Ended Question)

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