In keeping with the mission of the University to provide teaching, research and public service of the highest quality, UC Merced offers research-centered and student-oriented educational opportunities at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels through three academic schools: Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences/Humanities/Arts.

This position is a partnership between the Sierra Nevada Research Institute (SNRI) at UC Merced and the Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW), US Forest Service in the field of watershed science. The individual filling this position will undertake research that builds the knowledge base for effective management of water resources in the region. It is expected that this person will contribute to the growing focus on management of forests for multiple ecosystem services, with water supply being recognized as both the service with highest economic benefit and the one potentially most vulnerable to climate change. SNRI scientists and federal agency partners have very strong field research programs in the Sierra Nevada focusing on a combination of fundamental science and management questions, and this position offers the opportunity to develop a leadership role in those programs. The person filling this position should be a scientist with strong field research, analysis and modeling skills, who can interface equally well with the climate modeling community, hydrologic/ecological research community, and the operational water resources community. It is desirable that the person filling this position also have a background in forest and water science relevant to the Sierra Nevada. There are special opportunities for collaborative research on projects with :a) a unique & strategic location, spanning elevations across the rain-snow transition, representing step climate gradients; b) productive, active collaboration in place involving PSW scientists, university researchers, and strong interest from many additional scientists; c) well-established leveraging of research support from multiple agencies; d) unparalleled infrastructure, data, characterization and research history, and an unique community platform for Sierra Nevada water and climate research. This position will be located at UC Merced with access to the PSW office in Fresno, CA.

The University of California, Merced is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students. The University is supportive of dual career couples.Qualifications: BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Assistant Researcher: A Ph.D. in Hydrologic Science, Water Resources, Watershed Science, Ecosystems or other relevant field; demonstrated record of research. An ability to lead field research programs is important, as are communication skills and an ability to write grant proposals. Associate or Full Researcher: A Ph.D. in Hydrologic Science, Water Resources, Watershed Science, Ecosystems or other relevant field; record of independent research; demonstrated record of publications; and a demonstrate record of extramural funding. An ability to lead field research programs is important, as are communication skills and an ability to write grant proposals. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Assistant Researcher: Demonstrated excellence in independent research; applicants for the assistant researcher position are expected to develop externally funded research. Associate or full Researcher: Demonstrated excellence in innovative independent research; a strong record of publications; researcher positions are expected to develop externally funded research programs.