Postdoctoral Researcher - AEM

Position Overview

The postdoctoral researcher will analyze and interpret Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey Data collected as part of multiple surveys performed in the three groundwater management districts overlying the High Plains aquifer (HPA) in western Kansas. It is expected that the results of the analysis and interpretation of the AEM data will significantly enhance understanding of the HPA hydrostratigraphy. This improved understanding should help in the planning of groundwater conservation areas designed to extend the lifespan of the HPA in western Kansas.

The ideal candidate would have strong technical skills for working with AEM data and models, including physically based forward and inverse modeling of AEM survey responses, and demonstrated experience in doing so.

This position is based at the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), a research and service unit at the University of Kansas, and will be co-supervised by Jim Butler and Geoff Bohling in the Physical Geohydrology Group at the KGS. Additional project collaborators at the KGS include Gaisheng Liu and scientific staff in the Energy and Stratigraphy Division.

Salary, Employment Status, and Fringe Benefits:
This position has an expected salary range of $60,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Other benefits include university staff privileges; up to 176 hours of paid vacation earned per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, and nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day annually; group medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, and retirement program options.

The initial appointment will be for two years with the possibility of renewal for another two years assuming satisfactory performance and funding availability.

85%:
Analyze and interpret data collected through AEM surveys of the three groundwater management districts in western Kansas. The three major areas of work will be:
1) the inversion of the AEM data to resistivity,
2) the identification of the aquifer bottom from the AEM resistivity values, and
3) the transformation of the AEM resistivities to lithology. In all cases, estimates of the uncertainty in the final results will be needed so that the stakeholder community can better understand the confidence we have in those results.

15%:
Disseminate findings through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. It is expected that the individual will play a leading role in preparation of presentations and publications based on the analyses and interpretations of the AEM surveys.

This work will be done on-site at the KGS headquarters on the KU campus in Lawrence, KS.

NOTE:

To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD conferred at the time of hire. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an interim basis not to exceed 6-months. Upon verification of degree, the appointment will be extended to its full duration.