Postdoctoral Researcher - Population/Environmental Demographer

Position OverviewThe postdoc will synthesize data from public health and hydrologic databases to build an understanding of how drinking water source (groundwater vs. surface water) and water quality impact public health outcomes, with a specific focus on understanding how domestic groundwater well quality impacts rural health outcomes in Kansas. It is expected this work will lead to fundamental advances in human-water systems theory and applied research benefits for local water and land managers. Thus, the ideal candidate would have strong quantitative skills for working with both public health and/or environmental data/models, and experience working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and stakeholders.

This position is based at the Kansas Geological Survey, a research center at the University of Kansas. This postdoc will be based in the Water Resources & Geohydrology section and will be part an integral part of the Kansas Aquifer Water Quality Assessment Program (AWQUA) team. They will be jointly supervised by Erin Seybold (Assistant Scientist) and Scott Ishman (Associate Director/Senior Scientist) in collaboration with Tom Mueller (Assistant Professor, KUMC). This is a fixed-term 2-year position, with the possibility for extension pending available funding and exemplary performance.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin September 22, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Work Location: This position will work on-site at the Lawrence, KS campus with possibility of a hybrid (remote and on-site work) schedule as deemed by the supervisor.

Salary, Employment Status, and Fringe Benefits: This position has an expected salary of $60,000-$65,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Other benefits include university staff privileges; up to 176 hours of paid vacation earned per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, and nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day annually; group medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, and retirement program options. The initial appointment will be for one year with the expectation of a second year renewal assuming satisfactory performance.

Job Description30%: Develop public health analysis tools to assess impacts of drinking water sources and groundwater quality on public health outcomes.

• 35%: Use modeling tools and data analysis to conduct research on health impacts of groundwater quality.
• 15%: Disseminate findings through conference presentations, publications, stakeholder workshops, and open-source code.
• 10%: Work with and mentor project staff, graduate students, and interns.
• 10%: Service to discipline and institution.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a discipline related to public health and/or water/environmental science or engineering or related field.
• Previous experience working with and analyzing public health/population datasets (e.g. CDC Wonder, BRFSS, Census Bureau datasets) using econometric techniques, as evidenced by application material.
• Demonstrated fluency in R, Python, or Stata programming languages and documentation (through prior research) of strong quantitative skills, as evidenced by application material.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as evidenced by application materials and work history.
• Strong communication skills as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications/conference presentations.
  
  

NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD conferred at the time of hire. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an interim basis not to exceed 6-months. Upon verification of degree the appointment will be extended to its full duration.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience that required working with and analyzing hydrologic, hydrogeologic, and/or biogeochemical data and models, as evidenced by application material.
• Previous research experience in agricultural and hydrological systems/communities typical of the eastern U.S. Great Plains region, as evidenced by application material.
• Previous experience with coupling interdisciplinary models and/or high-performance computing, as evidenced by application material.
• Previous experience working with stakeholders and communities on issues related to water management, as evidenced by application material.
  
  

Additional Candidate InstructionsA Complete Online Application Will Include

• Cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three references to include relationship to reference.
  
  

Application review begins Monday September 22, 2025, and continues until the position is filled. Contact Information to ApplicantsFor additional information contact Erin Seybold, erinseybold@ku.edu

For HR questions contact Annette Delaney, adelaney@ku.edu

Advertised Salary Range$60,000-$65,000, depending on qualificationsApplication Review BeginsMonday September 22, 2025Anticipated Start DateMonday March 2, 2026Apply to Job