Post Doctoral Researcher

• 503901
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Aug 19 2026 - 23:55 MDT
  
  

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Department Contact: Carolina Mijares, (575) 646-4337 & mijares@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Hydrology to join an interdisciplinary research team focused on advancing science-based solutions for water resource management across New Mexico and the Southwest.

This position offers an opportunity to conduct applied and innovative research addressing water availability, drought resilience, groundwater and surface water systems, agricultural water management, climate variability, and integrated water resource management. The successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team working alongside scientists, water managers, and community partners to better understand and address complex water challenges. Through collaboration with agricultural producers, Tribal Nations, acequia associations, irrigation districts, and government agencies, the researcher will help develop solutions that support sustainable water management and strengthen community water resilience.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to projects funded by the National Science Foundation, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA, and other state and federal sponsors. Research activities integrate field observations, environmental monitoring, geospatial analysis, hydrologic modeling, data science, and stakeholder engagement to address complex water resource challenges and develop science-based decision-support tools.

The position provides opportunities to establish an independent research portfolio, publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and contribute to the development of competitive research proposals while working within a collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment.

Position Details

Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher

College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED

Department: 470500-WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with the Principal Investigator and interdisciplinary research teams to advance innovative hydrologic research and support the Institute's sponsored research portfolio.

Primary Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

Conduct independent and collaborative research addressing hydrology, water resources, and integrated environmental systems.

Design, implement, and evaluate research methodologies using field observations, environmental monitoring, hydrologic analyses, geospatial technologies, and quantitative approaches.

Analyze and synthesize hydrologic, climatic, environmental, and geospatial datasets to improve understanding of water systems and water resource management.

Develop and apply analytical tools, models, and visualization techniques that support scientific discovery and informed decision-making.

Collaborate with faculty, researchers, students, community partners, and government agencies to address complex water resource challenges.

Mentor graduate students participating in research projects and provide technical guidance as appropriate.

Prepare peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and outreach materials for scientific, agency, and stakeholder audiences.

Present research findings at scientific conferences, workshops, and stakeholder meetings.

Contribute to the preparation and submission of competitive research proposals to federal and state funding agencies.

Support interdisciplinary collaborations that advance NM WRRI's mission of improving water resource management and resilience.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas are encouraged to apply:

Hydrology and water resources science

Surface water and groundwater processes

Hydrologic and environmental modeling

GIS and geospatial analysis

Remote sensing applications

Scientific programming (Python, R, MATLAB, or similar)

Statistical analysis and data science

Climate and drought analysis

Water resource planning and decision-support tools

Integrated natural and human systems research

Community-engaged or stakeholder-driven research

The Successful Candidate Will Be Expected To

Produce high-quality peer-reviewed scholarly publications.

Participate in the preparation and submission of competitive research proposals.

Present research findings at regional, national, and international scientific meetings.

Collaborate effectively across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders.

Travel as needed to support field research, project meetings, conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

Required Education:Doctorate degree in related field.; Required Experience:No previous work experience required.; Equivalency:None; Required Certification/License:

Equivalent Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Special Certification/Licensure

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance. 

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request