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Research Hydrologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lynker Corporation

Hydrologist

Leesburg, VA · On-site +1

The Hydrologist selected will also be backed by a robust support network. You will have direct ... Serve as the authoritative liaison between researchers, Lynker management, and client leadership ...

Lynker Corporation

Hydrologist

Leesburg, VA · On-site

The Hydrologist selected will also be backed by a robust support network. You will have direct ... Serve as the authoritative liaison between researchers, Lynker management, and client leadership ...

Lynker Corporation

Hydrologist

Leesburg, VA · On-site

The Hydrologist selected will also be backed by a robust support network. You will have direct ... Serve as the authoritative liaison between researchers, Lynkermanagement, and client leadership ...

Tamus

Postdoctoral Research Associate

El Paso, TX · On-site +1

Position Information A postdoctoral research associate will join the 'Arid Hydrology and Water Systems' research group at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso. The current focus of the ...

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How much do research hydrologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for research hydrologist in the United States is $82,038.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,500.00 and $83,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a research hydrologist do?

A Research Hydrologist studies the movement, distribution, and quality of water in natural and human-made environments. They analyze data, develop models, and conduct fieldwork to understand hydrological processes like precipitation, runoff, and groundwater flow. Their research helps inform water resource management, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. Research Hydrologists often work for government agencies, universities, or private organizations, contributing to scientific knowledge and policy recommendations.

What is a research hydrologist?

A research hydrologist studies the movement, distribution, and quality of water in the environment, often conducting experiments and analyzing data to understand water-related processes. They typically work in laboratories or field settings, using tools like GIS and modeling software, and may require advanced degrees in hydrology, environmental science, or related fields.

Are research hydrologists in high demand?

Research hydrologists are in moderate demand, especially in government agencies, environmental consulting firms, and research institutions focused on water resources and climate change. Employment growth is expected to be steady, with opportunities often requiring strong analytical skills and proficiency with modeling tools and GIS software.

What are typical daily responsibilities for a research hydrologist?

As a Research Hydrologist, your typical day may involve collecting and analyzing field data, interpreting hydrologic models, and preparing technical reports or scientific publications. You will often collaborate with other scientists, engineers, and environmental professionals to design research studies or address water management issues. Your work may also include presenting findings at meetings or conferences and contributing to environmental impact assessments. Balancing fieldwork, office-based data analysis, and cross-disciplinary teamwork is a common part of this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the research hydrologist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Hydrologist, you need a strong background in hydrology, environmental science, and data analysis, typically with at least a master's degree in a related field. Proficiency in GIS software, hydrologic modeling tools (such as HEC-HMS or SWAT), and statistical analysis programs like R or Python is often required. Effective communication, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team are highly valued. These skills are essential to accurately study water systems, generate meaningful research findings, and communicate results to stakeholders and policy makers.

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What cities are hiring for Research Hydrologist jobs? Cities with the most Research Hydrologist job openings:
What states have the most Research Hydrologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Hydrologist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Research Hydrologist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Research Hydrologist jobs are:
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Research Hydrologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Hydrologist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 27% As Needed, 18% Temporary, 44% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 72% Physical, 11% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,038 per year, or $39.4 per hour.

Hydrologist

Lynker Corporation

Leesburg, VA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Overview
Lynker is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Hydrologist to serve as Lead, supporting Lynker government contracts, and our Lynker consulting team. As a senior technical authority on site, you will spearhead the experimental implementation of forecast systems, transforming mature research into operational protocols. You will act as a primary architect for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and real-time flood forecasting, while also mentoring junior staff and influencing future R&D directions through the Operations-to-Research (O2R) feedback loop.
Support & Collaboration:
The Hydrologist selected will also be backed by a robust support network. You will have direct access to the technical resources and subject matter experts at Lynker. This ensures you have the institutional backing, data access, and collaborative power needed to succeed in our high-visibility initiatives. The ideal Hydrologist for this position will be situated somewhere on the East Coast. This work is contingent on finalization and approval of an upcoming contract modification.
Responsibilities
Duties of the Hydrologist selected will include the following:
Strategic Leadership & Implementation
  • Spearhead Initiatives: Lead the design, testing, and operational deployment of
    advanced hydrologic models and forecasting techniques.
  • Strategic Liaison: Serve as the authoritative liaison between researchers, Lynker
    management, and client leadership; successfully negotiate and align research
    capabilities with operational constraints.
  • Model Architecture & Integration: Oversee the technical integration of new modeling
    systems into forecasting systems, ensuring robustness and reliability for critical public safety forecasts.
  • Advanced Analysis: Direct high-level data analysis and visualization efforts to validate
    model performance, ensemble forecast generation, and reservoir inflow predictions.

Mentorship & Technical Oversight
  • Technical Mentorship: Act as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior hydrologists
    and forecasting staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.
  • Workflow Optimization: Evaluate existing operational workflows and author recommendations for modernization that enhance efficiency and forecast accuracy.
  • Publishing & Thought Leadership: Lead the preparation of high-impact annual scientific reports and peer-reviewed journal articles; represent the project as a keynote or primary presenter at national scientific conferences.

Qualifications
The Hydrologist selected should have the following:
  • Education & Experience:
    • A Ph.D. in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Atmospheric Science, or a related
      discipline, and 3+ years of experience; OR
    • A Master's Degree in a related discipline with at least 7+ years of specialized
      professional experience in operational hydrology or hydrologic modeling.
  • Operational Systems Expertise: Deep technical proficiency with operational forecasting
    systems and hydrologic modeling suites (e.g., SAC-SMA, HEFS, physically-based
    models).
  • Advanced Technical Skills: Expert-level capability in programming (Python, R) and data
    management for large-scale hydrologic datasets.
  • Leadership capability: Proven track record of leading complex technical projects,
    managing stakeholder relationships, and driving consensus across multi-agency teams.

The Ideal Hydrologist selected will have the following:
  • Ensemble Forecasting: Extensive experience with hydrologic ensemble forecast services (HEFS), probabilistic verification, and risk-based decision support tools.
  • Software Engineering: Familiarity with modern software development practices (version
    control, containerization) to streamline model deployment.
  • Mentoring Experience: Demonstrated success in supervising or mentoring junior scientists, with specific examples of guiding professional development.

About Lynker
Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.
We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities - creatively and effectively.
Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:
  • Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
  • Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
  • Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
  • Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - we're all company owners!
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
  • Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
  • Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
  • Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.
Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.
⚠ Fraud Alert: Recruitment Scam Warning: Lynker has been made aware of fraudulent individuals posing as Lynker recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. All legitimate Lynker job postings are listed on our official careers page. Communication from Lynker recruiters will come from an official @lynker.com email address.

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