The DISES-RCN Identifying Cross-Cutting Challenges Toward A Net Zero Urban Water (NZUW) Future in the Southwest based at the University of Arizona is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Associate for up to three years.

The primary research focus will be centered around interdisciplinary Net Zero Urban Water activities that will be determined based on the successful candidate’s background and expertise, and the NZUW faculty. The currently identified research gaps under the Net Zero Urban Water umbrella include seven areas: alternative water sources and retrofit, distributed soft infrastructure, surface and groundwater interactions, treatment and management technologies, public preference, policy and governance, and equity.

The work includes the coordination of seven workshops and corresponding pre and post workshop research with industry partners, academia, and community-based organizations. Research methods include focus groups, surveys, and stakeholder interviews. The position includes the coordination of the quarterly NZUW DISES-RCN newsletter. The desirable candidate will be facile at interacting with academic, industry, and community partners from a variety of backgrounds across environmental science, planning, hydrology, and engineering. The position is ideal for a highly motivated researcher interested in working in a dynamic, large, interdisciplinary setting with faculty from several institutions and disciplines. This is a unique opportunity to meet a wide variety of actors across the integrated urban water management sector.

The selected candidate will work with the multidisciplinary group of PIs, industry partners, and community-based organizations from Los Angeles, Denver, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, and Tucson.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Coordinate the NSF DISES-RCN on Identifying Cross-Cutting Challenges Toward A Net Zero Urban Water (NZUW) Future in the Southwest with the PI, Co-PIs, and collaborators.
• Conduct independent research on various aspects related to integrated urban water systems. 
• Conduct research with academics, industry, and community-based stakeholders.  The DISES-RCN aims to fill the following research gaps around net zero urban water through workshops, surveys, and focus groups: alternative water sources and retrofit, distributed soft infrastructure, surface and groundwater interactions, treatment and management technologies, public preference, policy and governance, and equity.
• Perform quantitative analysis.
• Coordinate the seven workshops of the DISES-RCN (on the above listed research gaps).  Two are in-person and five are on-line.
• Support proposal writing for related projects of the PI and Co-PIs for the DISES-RCN.
• Conduct tasks as directed by PI or senior scientist.
• Assist in coordinating the scientific publication output of the research team.
• Represent the research team in various scientific conference and technical forums.
• Interacting with stakeholders within and beyond the University of Arizona.

• PhD conferred by January 1, 2023.
• Experience exhibiting self-motivation and working independently to complete work assignments.
• Experience reading complex operations and financial reports, as well as writing detailed reports and preparing and delivering presentations.
• Experience analyzing and summarizing data sets using computing and/or statistical tools.
• Experience with water and wastewater systems, and intersecting socio-environmental systems.
• Experience with basic computer applications: MS Office, Excel, Word, Power Point.
• Experience with scientific rigor and working proactively.
• Experience working with pragmatism in the method and practical mind in the execution.

• Experience in survey and focus group research.
• Experience communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Experience performing with exceptional organizational and teamwork skills.
• Experience multi-tasking and prioritizing efficiently.