Independent Researcher Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Originally posted 4/28/26.

Summary: The Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) is a world-class research facility situated on Muskegon Lake in Muskegon, MI, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The institute houses a dozen faculty, numerous research staff, and a robust graduate program. Located 30 miles from the main Grand Valley State University campus, AWRI maintains state-of-the-art analytical and molecular laboratories, a mesocosm facility, and two research vessels. Please visit the AWRI website (www.gvsu.edu/wri) for more information on our faculty, facilities, research programs, and educational/outreach initiatives. The successful candidate would collaborate closely with Dr. Stuart Jones and lead the collaborative global lake biogeochemistry project. Opportunities for development of independent research projects, proposals for internal and external funding, and student mentoring skills are available and an individual development plan emphasizing desired outcomes will be developed in collaboration with the successful candidate. The position will be 100% research and day-to-day duties will include modeling, data analysis, publishing, and collaboration with other staff and students.

Primary Duties

• Collaborate with Dr. Stuart Jones, AWRI-based researchers, and other international scientists

• Manage large geospatial datasets

• Develop, use, and refine process-based models of lake physics and biogeochemistry

• Employ appropriate statistical analyses to evaluate empirical observations and model outputs

• Contribute to lab and institute professional activities

• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals

• Present research results at national and international professional meetings

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Ph.D. in aquatic ecology, limnology, data science, or a related field

• Quantitative skills, including geospatial, process-based modeling, and statistics

• Expertise in the study and/or modeling of lake biogeochemical processes

• Demonstrated success publishing in the peer-reviewed literature

• A collaborative and creative mindset

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Past work mentoring undergraduate or graduate student researchers

• Previous work with hydrologic and/or hydrodynamic models

• Experience with high performance computing centers

Salary/Benefits: Minimum starting salary of $60,000. The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health plans, life insurance, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities, effective on date of hire. Family and childcare options on and off-campus are also available.

About AWRI: The Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) is a world-class research facility situated on Muskegon Lake in Muskegon, MI, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The institute houses a dozen faculty, numerous research staff, and a robust graduate program. Located 30 miles from the main Grand Valley State University campus, AWRI maintains state-of-the-art analytical and molecular laboratories, a mesocosm facility, and two research vessels. Please visit the AWRI website (www.gvsu.edu/wri) for more information on our faculty, facilities, research programs, and educational/outreach initiatives.

University:Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts approximately 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students' social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service.

How to Apply:

• a brief cover letter summarizing their past experiences, future research goals, and fit within the project
• a C.V.
• a maximum two-page research statement that describes their past research experience and interests/ideas for research in global lake biogeochemistry
• the names and contact information for three references.

The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically, in the same file location. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Stuart Jones at 616-331-3749. If you need technical assistance, please email Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

Application deadline: The review process will begin on October 1, 2026. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.

Allendale, Michigan 49401 - (616) 331-5000

For more information about Grand Valley, see our website at www.gvsu.edu

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.Seewww.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.