Research Associate in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Flood Risk Assessment and Early Warning Systems

University of Virginia

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc) to support a growing body of work focused on flood modeling, flood risk assessment, and early flood warning systems in rural communities. This research addresses the pressing need to understand and mitigate the impacts of flooding in underserved and geographically complex regions, where cascading effects on infrastructure, transportation, and community resilience demand innovative and integrative approaches.

The Postdoc will join Dr. Majid Shafiee Jood's research group in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Virginia and lead and contribute to projects spanning hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, flood risk assessment under current and future scenarios, and the analysis of critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. An important component of this work involves developing and evaluating structural and non-structural mitigation strategies, with an emphasis on nature-based solutions. Beyond these efforts, the Postdoc will pursue new research directions including advancing surrogate modeling approaches to accelerate flood simulations, investigating the intersection of flood dynamics, transportation network disruption, and cascading community impacts, and developing sensor-integrated frameworks for near real-time flood monitoring and early warning.

Key Responsibilities

The Postdoc will play a critical role in advancing research at the intersection of flood modeling, infrastructure resilience, and community-centered early warning systems. Working collaboratively with faculty, students, and community partners, the Postdoc will take ownership of research activities while contributing to the broader mission of the group. Specific responsibilities include:

• Lead hydrologic and hydraulic modeling efforts to simulate flood scenarios under current and future climate conditions, including watershed-scale rainfall-runoff modeling, flood inundation mapping, and stormwater system analysis (e.g., HEC-RAS, SWMM)
• Conduct flood risk assessments that identify vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and inform prioritized mitigation strategies
• Advance surrogate modeling approaches to improve the efficiency and scalability of flood simulations
• Investigate cascading impacts of flooding on transportation networks and community systems
• Develop and integrate flood sensor data into modeling frameworks to support near real-time early warning capabilities
• Engage with local governments, community stakeholders, and partner organizations to ensure research findings are actionable and aligned with community needs
• Synthesize and disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and presentations
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to an inclusive and collaborative research environment
• Contribute to proposal development and identification of new funding opportunities

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in civil engineering, environmental engineering, hydrology, or a closely related field by the appointment start date. Candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas will be given priority consideration:

• Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and flood risk assessment
• Climate change impacts on hydrology and flood frequency
• Surrogate modeling, machine learning, or data-driven approaches in hydrology and water resources
• Sensor networks, real-time data integration, or early warning systems
• Critical infrastructure vulnerability assessment
• Transportation network analysis under natural hazard scenarios
• Community engagement and stakeholder collaboration

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, communicate effectively across disciplinary boundaries, and work collaboratively with academic, government, and community partners. Experience mentoring students is a plus.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobsand search for R0084274. Attach the following materials: (1) a cover letter, (2) a comprehensive curriculum vitae, and (3) contact information for three professional references (letters will be requested later). In your cover letter, please describe your research background and interests, how your expertise aligns with this position, and evidence of your ability to conduct independent research. If you have a manuscript currently under review or in preparation that is not yet publicly available, you are encouraged to submit it as an optional writing sample.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Review of applications will begin on June 29, 2026, but the position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

The anticipated start date is August 15, 2026, though an earlier start is preferred. A later start date may be accommodated.

This position is a one-year appointment; however, the appointment may be renewed for an additional one-year increment, contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance.

For questions regarding this position, contact Dr. Majid Shafiee-Jood at ms2dm@virginia.edu.

For questions regarding the application process, contact Rich Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@virginia.edu.

For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.