The Husic Research Group within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech is seeking a postdoctoral associate whose research interest relate to leveraging interpretable machine learning to understand how landscape connectivity influences water quality. The selected candidate will work alongside and be mentored by Dr. Admin Husic at the Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory located in Northern Virginia.

The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute on a recent NSF CAREER project that integrates game theory concepts to explain water quality variations across time and space, from local to global scales. The project will leverage large-sample datasets and high-performance computing to advance transferable insights into what controls variable patterns of riverine biogeochemistry. In addition, candidates will have the opportunity to co-develop their own research projects with Prof. Husic.

While the primary focus of this position is to conduct and disseminate research related to human impacts to water quality, the candidate will be provided opportunities to pursue additional career development activities, such as developing new research skills, establishing a professional network, proposal development, mentoring students, preparing research reports, and/or teaching. A mentoring plan will be developed between Prof. Husic and the candidate at the beginning of the position to determine which opportunities best align with the candidate’s career goals. The candidate will be expected to travel to present research at regional and national conferences.

The initial appointment is for a minimum of one-year. The appointment may be extended for one or more years contingent on work performance and available funding. Apply by January 15, 2025 to ensure full consideration by the committee. A second review will occur after February 1, 2025. The position will remain open until filled. The preferred start date is negotiable, but no later than August 2025. 

The Charles E. Via Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is home to 55 tenure and tenure-track faculty members, 350 full-time graduate students and 625 undergraduate students, making it among the largest CEE departments in the country. Both the graduate and undergraduate programs are consistently ranked in the top 10 CEE programs nationally by US News.

The Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory is located in Northern Virginia in the City of Manassas, less than an hour from downtown Washington DC and numerous parks and museums. Northern Virginia is the most populous region of Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area, with several nearby airports, a large job base, and includes numerous public transportation options.

All applications must be submitted through jobs.vt.edu. Complete applications should include a curriculum vitae with at least three professional references listed, transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable), and up to two relevant publications. In addition, applicants should include up to a two-page cover letter stating i) their key scientific contributions to date and how the applicant’s previous research relates to this position, ii) the research questions the applicant would like to explore and skills they would like to develop in this position, and iii) how this position will help the applicant achieve their immediate and long-term professional goals. Letters from references will be requested if selected for an interview. Questions may be directed to Admin Husic at husic@vt.edu.