What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Researcher – AEM position at University of Kansas and Careers?
Position Overview
The postdoctoral researcher will analyze and interpret Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey Data collected as part of multiple surveys performed in the three groundwater management districts overlying the High Plains aquifer (HPA) in western Kansas. It is expected that the results of the analysis and interpretation of the AEM data will significantly enhance understanding of the HPA hydrostratigraphy. This improved understanding should help in the planning of groundwater conservation areas designed to extend the lifespan of the HPA in western Kansas. The ideal candidate would have strong technical skills for working with AEM data and models, including physically based forward and inverse modeling of AEM survey responses, and demonstrated experience in doing so.
This position is based at the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), a research and service unit at the University of Kansas, and will be co-supervised by Jim Butler (https://kgs.ku.edu/people/james-j-butler-jr) and Geoff Bohling (https://kgs.ku.edu/people/geoffrey-c-bohling) in the Physical Geohydrology Group at the KGS. Additional project collaborators at the KGS include Gaisheng Liu and scientific staff in the Energy and Stratigraphy Division.
Salary, Employment Status, and Fringe Benefits: This position has an expected salary range of $60,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and 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 two years with the possibility of renewal for another two years assuming satisfactory performance and funding availability.
This position is based at the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), a research and service unit at the University of Kansas, and will be co-supervised by Jim Butler (https://kgs.ku.edu/people/james-j-butler-jr) and Geoff Bohling (https://kgs.ku.edu/people/geoffrey-c-bohling) in the Physical Geohydrology Group at the KGS. Additional project collaborators at the KGS include Gaisheng Liu and scientific staff in the Energy and Stratigraphy Division.
Salary, Employment Status, and Fringe Benefits: This position has an expected salary range of $60,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and 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 two years with the possibility of renewal for another two years assuming satisfactory performance and funding availability.
Job Description
85%: Analyze and interpret data collected through AEM surveys of the three groundwater management districts in western Kansas. The three major areas of work will be 1) the inversion of the AEM data to resistivity, 2) the identification of the aquifer bottom from the AEM resistivity values, and 3) the transformation of the AEM resistivities to lithology. In all cases, estimates of the uncertainty in the final results will be needed so that the stakeholder community can better understand the confidence we have in those results.
15%: Disseminate findings through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. It is expected that the individual will play a leading role in preparation of presentations and publications based on the analyses and interpretations of the AEM surveys.
Position Requirements
This work will be done on-site at the KGS headquarters on the KU campus in Lawrence, KS.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in a discipline related to hydrogeophysics.
- Prior experience demonstrating a solid theoretical understanding of the physical principles governing AEM survey responses as indicated in application materials.
- Experience working with physically based forward and inverse modeling of time-domain AEM data as indicated in application materials.
- Experience working both independently and collaboratively as indicated in application materials.
- Strong written communication skills as evidenced by application material, to include peer-reviewed publications and project reports.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with AEM modeling software as indicated in application materials.
- Experience with data analysis in R and/or Python as indicated in application materials.
- Experience working with AEM surveys of unconsolidated aquifers as indicated in application materials.
- Experience with sedimentological principles governing aquifer structure as indicated in application materials.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams on aquifer characterization projects as indicated in application materials.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
Review of applications will begin February 23, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
The earliest possible start date is April 6, 2026; the exact start date is negotiable.
- [PDF] Cover letter detailing how the candidate meets the required and preferred qualifications.
- [PDF] Full CV.
- Unofficial transcripts.
- [PDF] Contact information for 3 professional references with relation to references.
Review of applications will begin February 23, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
The earliest possible start date is April 6, 2026; the exact start date is negotiable.
Contact Information to Applicants
For technical questions contact Jim Butler, jbutler@ku.edu, or Geoff Bohling, gbohling@ku.edu.
For HR questions contact Annette Delaney, adelaney@ku.edu.
For HR questions contact Annette Delaney, adelaney@ku.edu.
Advertised Salary Range
$60,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience
Application Review Begins
Monday February 23, 2026
Anticipated Start Date
Monday April 6, 2026
Apply to Job
Posting Information
- Posting ID: 31898BR
- Department: Kansas Geological Survey
- Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
- Assignment: On-Site
- Reg/Temp: Regular
- Employee Class: U-Unclassified Professional Staff
- Review Begins: 23-Feb-2026
Salary : $60,000 - $65,000