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Water Quality Postdoc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tamus

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Temple, TX · On-site +1

Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Temple ... Demonstrated publication record in hydrological/water quality/sediment transport modeling and ...

Tamus

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Lubbock, TX · On-site +1

S. cotton production annually, but diminishing groundwater quantity and quality threaten the region ... Experience working with soil, water, and plant sensors and remote sensing technology. Other ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

... of future water-energy security. The primary responsibility of the postdoctoral associate (~80 ... A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout ...

Williammary

Research Scientist

Gloucester Point, VA

$65K/yr

Develop, implement, and refine unstructured-grid hydrodynamic and water quality models ... Work closely with graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and visiting scientists * Participate ...

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Water Quality Postdoc information

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How much do water quality postdoc jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for water quality postdoc in the United States is $25.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of research projects and collaborations can a Water Quality Postdoc expect to be involved with?

As a Water Quality Postdoc, you will typically work on interdisciplinary research projects that address pressing issues such as contaminant transport, nutrient cycling, or the impact of land use on water systems. Collaboration is common, involving partnerships with faculty, graduate students, governmental agencies, and sometimes industry stakeholders. You'll likely contribute to project design, data collection and analysis, and publication of findings. This role offers opportunities to develop leadership skills by mentoring students and leading fieldwork, as well as networking with professionals across environmental science disciplines.

What is a Water Quality Postdoc?

A Water Quality Postdoc is a researcher who has recently earned a doctoral degree and is engaged in advanced studies focused on water quality. Their work often involves conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing research related to water pollution, contaminants, and environmental impacts. They may work at universities, government agencies, or research institutes and often collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. The goal is to generate new knowledge to improve water management practices and inform policy decisions.

What is the difference between Water Quality Postdoc vs Water Quality Scientist?

AspectWater Quality PostdocWater Quality Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in environmental science, water resources, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in environmental science, water resources, or related field; often requires experience
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, universities, labsGovernment agencies, consulting firms, environmental organizations
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic and research-focused rolesPractical, applied roles in water management and policy
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research-focused career pathsPractical roles in water quality assessment and management

In summary, a Water Quality Postdoc is primarily involved in research and academic projects requiring a PhD, while a Water Quality Scientist typically works in applied settings such as government or consulting firms, often with a Bachelor's or Master's degree. Both roles focus on water quality but differ in scope, environment, and experience level.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Water Quality Postdoc, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Quality Postdoc, you generally need a Ph.D. in environmental science, chemistry, or a related field, along with expertise in water quality analysis and research methodologies. Familiarity with laboratory instruments (such as spectrophotometers and chromatographs), statistical software (like R or MATLAB), and possibly GIS systems is typical. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective written and verbal communication skills help set standout candidates apart. These skills are crucial for conducting rigorous research, generating publishable findings, and effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to address complex water quality challenges.
Infographic showing various Water Quality Postdoc job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,620 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M AgriLife

Temple, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Texas A&M University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 143 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

192nd of 534 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Temple
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Temple, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
About Texas A&M AgriLife
Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation's largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.
Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!
Position Information
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will contribute to the development and application of large-scale modeling frameworks for water resources, sediment load assessment, and land-use management. The position involves supporting hydrologic modeling research, including process-based simulations of hydrology and sediment transport, and contributing to the development of decision-support tools. The position will also develop and implement Python/R scripts to improve computational efficiency, automation, and reliability.
Responsibilities:
  • Contribute to the development and application of large-scale modeling frameworks for water resources, sediment load assessment, and land-use management; prepare and process large datasets for national-scale assessments using SWAT/SWAT+.
  • Support the analysis of sediment and turbidity data, remote sensing datasets (e.g., OpenET), within process-based modeling frameworks
  • Integrate machine learning and AI approaches with process-based models to improve calibration, particularly in ungauged watersheds.
  • Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team, including USDA Forest Service scientists, AgriLife researchers, and other partners; participate in joint research activities and manage assigned tasks effectively.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in Hydrology, Geology, Environmental Science/Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related disciplines with emphasis on surface hydrology, sediment transport and land use management.
  • Demonstrated publication record in hydrological/water quality/sediment transport modeling and analysis.
  • Interdisciplinary teamwork skills with researchers across different disciplines.
  • Flexibility to perform work in a team or individually with supervision.
  • Good communication, interpersonal skills, professionalism, and competency.
  • Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with SWAT/SWAT+ models for watershed assessment and land-use management.
  • Proficiency in programming or scripting languages such as Python, R, Fortran, or similar.
  • Experience with remote sensing data analysis and geographic information systems (GIS).
  • Familiarity with machine learning approaches and quantitative data analysis.
  • Strong technical writing and communication skills.

What You Need to Know
Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate's qualifications.
Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?
When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:
  • Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
  • 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
  • Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
  • Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
  • Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions
Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.
Required Documents
CV/ Resume
Cover letter
List of references
Copy of Degree/Transcript showing degree conferred
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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