Job Description

Research Scientist II, Water Quality

Posting Number: SP004945P
Division/College: College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Department: IWRRI
Location: Boise, Idaho Falls

Posting Context Statement:

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. These are non-tenure track research appointments housed within IWRRI with no formal teaching responsibilities.

Position Overview:

Designs and manages all aspects of a research portfolio complimentary to that of other research scientists or research faculty. Often maintains active research collaborations external to the university.

Duties may include:

• Planning and conducting research in accordance with stipulated protocols and quality and safety standards
• Performing complex scientific analyses
• Developing new methods and guidelines for procedures
• Directing the development of recommendations for project solutions
• Performing peer review of scientific projects, studies or applications
• Developing technical scientific management guidelines
• Writing peer reviewed publications or presentations
• Resolving complex project-specific technical and regulatory issues
• Establishing work priorities and performance standards, hiring, training, evaluating staff, assigning and reviewing work
• Responsible for technical project management to include developing the scope of work, budgeting, scheduling, reporting, implementing field projects and approving scientific documents
• Participating in the development of grant proposals as named project contributor or primary investigator
• May have an independent research program that is complimentary to research objectives of a broader research group or department within the institution
• May include supervision of junior-level staff and students; does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities
• Other duties as assigned

Required Experience:

• Five years of research experience beyond receipt of doctoral degree
• Demonstrated record of research achievement
• Participation in the development and submission of sponsored project proposals

Required Education:

• Ph.D. in Hydrology, Engineering, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science or other related discipline

Required Other:

• None

Additional Preferred:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team
• Experience serving as PI or Co-PI on extramurally funded research
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: water quality analysis, big data analytics, isotopic analysis
• Technical proficiency with quantitative data analytics and workflows (e.g. R, Python, GIS , Modflow, GitHub)
• Experience conducting interdisciplinary or community-engaged research and demonstrated success in working collaboratively across disciplines with a range of stakeholders
• Strong written and oral communication skills including peer-reviewed journals and experience communicating with non-academic audiences
• Record of two or more lead-author publications in peer reviewed journals
• Demonstrated record of research achievement
• Participation in the development and submission of sponsored project proposals

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

• None

Degree Requirement:
Listed degree qualification is required at time of hire
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employee Category: Exempt
Pay Range: $90,001.60 annually or higher commensurate with experience
Type of Appointment: _of_Appointment
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: 07/18/2025
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applications received by August 3, 2025, will receive first consideration.

In addition to the online application, please provide the following:

• CV including contact information for three (3) professional references
• 1-page Cover Letter describing your research interests, how you meet the required and and additional preferred qualifications, and how you envision contributing to the applied research mission of IWRRI

For questions, please contact:

Kendra Kaiser
Department of Idaho Water Resources Research Institute
kkaiser@uidaho.edu

Applicant Resources:
Background Check Statement:

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

To apply, visit

The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Visa sponsorship,

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