University of California Irvine

Postdoctoral Scholar Flood Risk Assessment, UC Irvine Flood Lab

Position overview
Salary range: The salary range for this position is **$69,073 - $71,632
**Commensurate with Experience and According to UCI Salary Scale. See Scale Here

Application Window

Open date: May 26, 2026

Next review date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Irvine invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position in the UC Irvine Flood Lab UCI Irvine Flood Lab focused on flood risk change across Southern California. The successful candidate will conduct research on how multiple interacting factors - including land use change, ground subsidence, climate change, and compound hazard drivers - are reshaping flood hazards and risks across the region. The Flood Lab has a strong history of collaborating with local flood control districts, water and energy utilities, and state agencies to improve understanding of flood risks and response options, and this position offers an excellent opportunity to conduct impactful, applied research at the science-policy interface.

Responsibilities
The postdoctoral scholar will lead two major research thrusts. The first involves high-resolution hydrodynamic modeling of flood hazard change across Southern California watersheds driven by historical and projected land use change, with exposed population and property assessed on a decade-by-decade basis. The second involves development and evaluation of Monte Carlo-based methods for compound flood hazard assessment, including configuration of a rainfall emulator for Southern California and large-ensemble flood inundation simulations using the Parallel Raster Inundation Model (PRIMo). The researcher will also be encouraged to pursue independent inquiry into additional drivers of flood risk change, including climate-driven shifts in precipitation intensity and the effects of ground subsidence on flood channel capacity and inundation extent. Deliverables include peer-reviewed journal articles, technical reports, and publicly available datasets and online visualization tools.

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in civil engineering, hydrology, earth sciences, or a closely related field.

Preferred qualifications: the ideal candidate will bring a combination of the following

Experience with computational hydrodynamic or hydrologic modeling (e.g., 2D flood inundation models, rainfall-runoff models)

Proficiency in remote sensing and GIS methods, including analysis of land use/land cover data, lidar-derived topography, and/or InSAR-based subsidence datasets

Strong hydrology and flood hazard expertise, with familiarity with probabilistic and scenario-based flood risk frameworks

Experience automating scientific workflows on high-performance computing (HPC) systems, including scripting, job scheduling, and large-scale data management

A track record of peer-reviewed publications and strong written communication skills

This is a full-time, two-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding availability. Salary commensurate with experience and according to the UC Salary Scale.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

This position requires a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Earth Sciences, or a closely related field.
Application Requirements
Document requirements

Cover Letter - A brief cover letter describing their research background and interest in the position.
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Publications or link to publications

Reference requirements

3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10185

About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Job location
Irvine, CA

To apply, visit https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10185

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About University of California Irvine

Since 1965, the University of California, Irvine has combined the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location. UCI's unyielding commitment to rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and leadership and character development makes the campus a driving force for innovation and discovery that serves our local, national and global communities.

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