Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (LBNL) Climate & Ecosystems Division within the Earth and Environmental Sciences Area (EESA) is seeking a Water System Postdoc. In this role, you will focus on understanding water infrastructure systems and their management under changing environmental and compounding stressors. Using data analysis and modeling methods, you will evaluate vulnerabilities in water systems and identify future adaptation strategies in response to shifting environmental extremes, growing demand pressures, and land use changes.
You will primarily contribute to two high-impact projects: analyzing the water use of data centers and assessing its impact on water resources through a Lab Directed Research & Development (LDRD) project, and developing/analyzing water system models for the Pacific West under drought scenarios as part of the HyperFACETS project. You may also contribute to emerging research efforts focused on water systems science and resilience as part of the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI). In addition to conducting sophisticated modeling and decision analytics under uncertainty, you will actively engage with diverse stakeholders and resource managers to translate operational contexts into actionable scientific insights. Therefore, the ability to communicate with multiple professional communities such as water managers, environmental engineers, Earth scientists, and social scientists is required.
You will:- Develop and apply models of water systems to understand their vulnerabilities, hazards, and implications of alternative management options
- Analyze model outputs and observed data to understand model performance, evaluate key 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 effectively across diverse professional and scientific communities oral presentations, scientific meetings, technical discussions, and peer-reviewed publications.
- Work effectively in an integrated, interdisciplinary, and multi-institutional research environment
We are looking for:- Recent PhD in Environmental Sciences/Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydrology, or other 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 multi-sectoral management of resources and decision-making in the context of uncertainty
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in an integrated team environment and ability to collaborate with colleagues at multiple institutions
- Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
Desired skills/knowledge:- Experience engaging with and facilitating discussions with practitioners at resource management organizations
- Experience with the WEAP water systems model and/or Pywr water systems model
Additional information:- Application date:Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
- Appointment type: This is a full-time, 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
- Salary range:The monthly salary range for this position is $6,790 - $9,234 and is expected to start at $6,790 or above. Postdoc positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D postdoctoral and/or related research experience.
- Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
- Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
- Union Represented:This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov
