The Field Wire: Issue #7
The Weekly Jobs Digest for Earth Science, Water, and Engineering | May 2, 2026
Welcome to Issue #7 of The Field Wire — your weekly roundup of research positions, jobs, fellowships, and funding opportunities across earth science, water resources, and engineering.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this week’s selection helps you find your next opportunity.
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🎓 PhD & Graduate Programs
PhD: Atmospheric Effects of Spacecraft Re-entry — IRF + Stockholm University
📍 Sweden ⏰ Deadline: May 20, 2026 💰 Fully Funded
A joint PhD position between the Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) and the Department of Meteorology at Stockholm University (MISU), investigating how spacecraft re-entry events affect the upper atmosphere and mesosphere.
Contact: Daniel Kastinen (IRF) & Linda Megner (MISU)
PhD: Compound Flood Modeling — University of Florida (ACES Lab)
📍 Gainesville, FL, USA 📅 Rolling 💰 Fully Funded RA
Seeking a motivated hydrologic/hydraulic/hydrodynamic modeler for a PhD in Civil/Coastal/Environmental Engineering at the Advanced Coastal Environmental Simulations (ACES) Lab under Dr. Y. Peter Sheng. Research covers compound flood modeling with multivariate statistical frameworks, use of natural features for flood resilience, and sustainable stormwater infrastructure. Experience with 2D/3D models (Delft3D, HEC-RAS, SWAN/XBEACH) preferred. Non-US applicants must be currently in the US.
Contact: Dr. Y. Peter Sheng — pete@coastal.ufl.edu
PhD: Governing the Risk of Extreme Water Scarcity (Day Zero) — Wageningen University & Research
📍 Wageningen, Netherlands ⏰ Deadline: May 31, 2026
A PhD position focused on the governance of extreme water scarcity risks at one of Europe’s top agricultural and environmental research universities. Research addresses one of the defining water security challenges of our era: the conditions under which cities and regions reach a “Day Zero” water crisis.
MS: Quaternary Science & Luminescence Geochronology — Kansas State University
📍 Manhattan, KS, USA 📅 Rolling — Start Fall 2026 💰 $19,398/yr + tuition 🇺🇸 US Citizen only
Dr. Joel Spencer’s lab at K-State seeks a Master’s student in Quaternary geology and geomorphology with emphasis on optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sediment dating. Projects span paleoseismics, paleoclimate reconstruction in megalake/megadrought environments, and environmental/mining concerns. Fully funded GRA/GTA for two years.
Contact: Dr. Joel Spencer — joelspen@ksu.edu
🔬 Postdoctoral Opportunities
Postdoc: Adaptation to Hydroclimatic Extremes — University of Bern
📍 Bern, Switzerland 📅 Rolling
Research on human and societal adaptation to hydroclimatic extremes, hosted at the University of Bern’s Institute of Geography.
Contact: Olivia Romppainen — olivia.romppainen@unibe.ch
Postdoc: Hydrological Process Analysis & Modelling for Water Security — UFZ Leipzig
📍 Leipzig, Germany 📅 Rolling
Postdoctoral position at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) focused on hydrological process analysis and modelling, with an emphasis on water security and resource sustainability. Under Prof. Ralf Merz.
Contact: Prof. Ralf Merz — ralf.merz@ufz.de
Postdoc: Hyper-local Weather Forecasting (Deep Learning / AI) — MIT
📍 Cambridge, MA, USA 📅 Rolling 💰NASA-funded
Under Prof. Sherrie Wang (MIT Mechanical Engineering), this NASA-funded postdoc focuses on deep learning methods for hyper-local weather forecasting with uncertainty quantification. Involves probabilistic downscaling of global weather models using satellite remote sensing, generative AI, and conformal prediction. Applications in disaster response and energy systems. Strong ML/DL background and Python proficiency required.
Postdoc: Weather Hazard Testbed Development & Research — UMass Amherst
📍 Amherst, MA, USA ⏰ Priority Review: June 15, 2026 💰 $72,000–$77,000/yr
Funded by the UMass Paros Center for Atmospheric Research, this postdoc is central to building a campus-area instrument testbed integrating sonic anemometers, disdrometers, and the UMaXX dual-polarimetric x-band radar to study extreme weather phenomena in Western Massachusetts. Background in boundary layer meteorology or ground-based instrumentation required. 1-year renewable; hybrid work arrangements available.
Postdoc: Convective Storms & Severe Weather — Argonne National Laboratory
📍 Lemont, IL, USA 📅 Rolling 💰 $72,879–$121,465/yr
The Environmental Science Division at Argonne seeks a postdoc to advance understanding and prediction of convective storms and hydrological hazards using physics-based and AI/ML approaches. Work involves high-resolution Earth system modeling with convection-permitting models (E3SM, ERF), evaluation of model performance, and developing AI techniques for physical parameterisations.
Postdoc: Ecohydrology & Flash Droughts (Causal Inference) — University of Michigan
📍 Ann Arbor, MI, USA ⏰ Review begins: June 1, 2026 💰NASA-funded · 2 years
The Zhu Lab at U Michigan SEAS seeks a postdoc for a NASA-funded project on causality detection in ecohydrological feedbacks related to rapid-onset (“flash”) droughts. Jointly advised by Dr. Kai Zhu (U Michigan) and Dr. Yanlan Liu (UCLA). Work integrates satellite remote sensing, eddy-covariance/flux tower data, and reanalysis products to understand land–atmosphere–vegetation interactions. Strong quantitative/statistical modeling or causal inference skills desired.
Contact: Dr. Kai Zhu — zhulab.seas.umich.edu
🏛 Faculty & Senior Positions
Professor in Atmospheric Physics — University of La Réunion
📍 La Réunion, France ⏰ May 25, 2026, 14:00 UTC 💰 Permanent Professorship
A newly created full Professorship in Atmospheric Physics focused on the physics and dynamics of atmospheric aerosols and trace gases in the southwest Indian Ocean region. Starting September 1, 2026.
Contact (research): Christophe Guimbaud — christophe.guimbaud@univ-reunion.fr
Contract Research Professor in Coastal Engineering — ENPC / Saint Venant Hydraulics Lab
📍 Chatou, France (Paris suburbs) ⏰ May 29, 2026 🗓️ Initial 3-year contract
A Research Professor position in Coastal Engineering at the prestigious Saint Venant Hydraulics Laboratory (LHSV), a joint ENPC–EDF R&D lab. The candidate will also hold academic responsibilities in the first year of the Offwind Master’s program at ENPC.
Contact: Marissa Yates (LHSV)
Tenure-Track Faculty: Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Community-Engaged Conservation — ASU
📍 Tempe, AZ, USA
Part of the launch of Arizona State University’s new School of Conservation Futures, this tenure-track hire focuses on Indigenous-led conservation, biocultural conservation, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Indigenous land stewardship, and environmental governance. Relevant fields include Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and Natural Resource Management.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies — Amherst College
📍 Amherst, MA, USA ⏰ Priority: May 4 — review continues 💰 $70,000–$100,000
Full-time one-year visiting appointment starting July 1, 2026. Preferred area: environmental sociology; other environmental social sciences welcome. Two courses per semester; will supervise senior honors theses. PhD required by August 2026. Applications received by May 4 receive full consideration; review continues until filled.
Contact: Prof. Katharine Sims — ksims@amherst.edu
Half-time Lecturer in Atmospheric Sciences — University of Miami (Rosenstiel School)
📍 Miami, FL, USA ⏰ Open until Aug 15, 2026 — Start Spring 2027
The Atmospheric Sciences Department at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science seeks a half-time Lecturer for the undergraduate meteorology program (two courses/semester). Courses include Introduction to Weather and Climate, Python Programming, Climate Change, and a planned Hurricanes and Their Impacts course. PhD in Atmospheric Sciences preferred; university teaching experience required.
Contact: Lisa Murphy, Director of Undergraduate Meteorology — lmurphy@earth.miami.edu
🔧 Research & Technical Roles
Research Engineer (18 months) — ACACIA Project, Université de La Réunion
📍 La Réunion Island, France ⏰ May 28, 2026 💰 Horizon Europe funded
An 18-month Research Engineer position within the EU Horizon Europe ACACIA project, responsible for post-processing algorithm development and 3D visualisation tool development using high-resolution numerical simulation products. Strong Python skills required. Start: September 1, 2026.
Contact: clement.soufflet@univ-reunion.fr & kevin.hoarau@univ-reunion.fr
Apply to: recrutement-biatss@univ-reunion.fr — Subject: “ACACIA / Research Engineer Application”
Senior Engineer/Scientist (Hydrodynamics & Metocean) — HR Wallingford
📍 Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK ⏰ May 25, 2026 💰 £42,000–£55,000
A senior role in the Coasts & Oceans Group at HR Wallingford — a world-leading not-for-profit research and consultancy. Work includes metocean extreme value analysis, coastal and wave modelling (SWAN, SWASH, FUNWAVE), and project leadership. BSc/BEng required, MSc/PhD preferred.
Contact: careers@hrwallingford.com
Field Ecohydrologist — Kansas Geological Survey / University of Kansas
📍 Lawrence, KS, USA ⏰ May 18, 2026 💰 $50,000–$55,000/yr
The HydroEcology of the Anthropocene Lab (HEAL) at KGS/KU is hiring a Field Ecohydrologist to conduct research in agricultural fields, prairies, streams, and rivers across Kansas and the Great Plains. Backgrounds in geosciences, environmental science, agronomy, or soil science all welcome. Must have a driver’s license and enthusiasm for outdoor fieldwork. At least 1-year position; extension anticipated.
Contact: Sam Zipper — samzipper@ku.edu
Project Data Scientist — Community Science, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
📍 Los Angeles, CA, USA 📅 Regular Full-Time
A full-time data scientist role supporting interdisciplinary community science research at NHMLAC, covering human–wildlife interactions, biodiversity monitoring, One Health, and environmental justice. Responsibilities include data management, analysis, peer-reviewed publications, and community partner engagement.
Junior Research Fellow (JRF) — ISRO-NASA NISAR Project (L-Band InSAR) — PDEU
📍 Gandhinagar, India
A Junior Research Fellow position at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) under the ISRO-NASA NISAR (L-Band Interferometry) project. Aimed at young researchers interested in radar remote sensing and land surface processes.
Contact: dhruvesh.pdpu@gmail.com
Entry-Level Coastal Engineer — KS Associates, Inc.
📍 Elyria, OH, USA (Great Lakes) 🇺🇸 US Citizenship Required
An entry-level coastal engineering position working on Great Lakes and Lake Erie projects — port infrastructure, shore protection, nature-based shorelines, marinas, dredging, and beach improvements. Ocean or Coastal Engineering degree required. Competitive salary and full benefits.
Contact: Christopher M. Day, P.E. — dayc@ksassociates.com
Senior Chemist — Chemical & Physical Ecology Program, Mote Marine Laboratory
📍 Sarasota, FL, USA
The Chemical and Physical Ecology Program at Mote Marine Laboratory seeks a Senior Chemist for inorganic chemical and physical analyses (water/sediment quality) using a Seal AutoAnalyzer for nutrient analyses. All work is NELAC-certified with strict QA/QC guidelines. MSc in environmental chemistry required (or 5+ years equivalent experience). Some field sampling involved.
💡 Funding, Awards & Other
🚨 Gulf Research Program Early-Career Research Fellowship — Energy Track
📍 USA (Gulf region) 🚨 URGENT: May 5, 2026, 5 PM ET 💰 $76,000 over 2 years
The Gulf Research Program (National Academies of Sciences) is accepting applications for its Early-Career Research Fellowship — Energy Track for 2026–2028. This cycle focuses on legacy offshore energy infrastructure: orphaned wells, aging platforms and pipelines, and pathways for safe decommissioning or repurposing. Projects must focus on communities in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas. Apply immediately — deadline is Tuesday.
USGS Earthquake Hazards Research Grants (FY2027)
📍 USA ⏰ June 4, 2026 💰 Up to $5M total available
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program is soliciting FY2027 research proposals on earthquake hazard science, including early warning systems, hazard characterisation, and risk reduction. Funding Opportunity Number: G27AS00075.
Contact: Jill Franks — jfranks@usgs.gov
DWD Fellowship at ECMWF — Track 1: AI-based S2S Forecasting
📍 Bonn, Germany (ECMWF offices) 📅 Check BAV website — Start: January 2027💰 €2,900/month — 2 yrs (extendable to 3)
The German Weather Service (DWD) is offering four 2-year early-career fellowships to work at ECMWF in Bonn, starting January 2027. Track 1 focuses on developing next-generation AI-based approaches for Subseasonal-to-Seasonal (S2S) forecasting. Includes travel, conference, and training support via DWD’s STEP UP! programme.
DWD Fellowship at ECMWF — Track 2: Improving Convective Parameterisation (AI + Physical)
📍 Bonn, Germany (ECMWF offices) 📅 Check BAV website — Start: January 2027💰 €2,900/month — 2 yrs (extendable to 3)
Track 2 focuses on improving convective parameterisation schemes in ECMWF’s Integrated Forecasting System using both AI-based and traditional physical approaches — addressing a core challenge in numerical weather prediction.
DWD Fellowship at ECMWF — Track 3: Land Surface Model Optimisation (ecLand)
📍 Bonn, Germany (ECMWF offices) 📅 Check BAV website — Start: January 2027💰 €2,900/month — 2 yrs (extendable to 3)
Track 3 focuses on the global optimisation of ECMWF’s land surface model (ecLand) — including parameter estimation, model calibration, and improving land–atmosphere coupling within the IFS.
DWD Fellowship at ECMWF — Track 4: Quantifying Observation Impact (Physics vs. AI Systems)
📍 Bonn, Germany (ECMWF offices) 📅 Check BAV website — Start: January 2027💰 €2,900/month — 2 yrs (extendable to 3)
Track 4 focuses on quantifying the impact of different observation types (radiosonde, satellite, surface networks) across both physics-based and AI-based forecasting systems — a key challenge as operational NWP transitions toward machine learning.
CarbonPlan Executive Director
📍 Remote (USA) ⏰ Priority: May 29, 2026 💰 $215,000/yr + comprehensive benefits
CarbonPlan — a nonprofit research organization using science and data to accelerate climate action — is seeking its next Executive Director. The ED will guide the organization through strategic evolution and lead a multidisciplinary team working across climate science, carbon accounting, and climate risk. Demonstrated scientific/technical background plus fundraising and organizational leadership experience required. First-round interviews in early June.
Managing Director (Chief of Operations) — Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
📍 New Haven, CT, USA 📅 Rolling
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC) is hiring a Managing Director to serve as senior operational leader to the Director. Oversees a ~$4M annual budget, team of ~22 FTE, grants administration, communications, and program delivery. Background in university, nonprofit, or research environment preferred, with experience in climate or environmental affairs. Must be based in New Haven or willing to relocate.
Agricultural Nitrogen Program Manager — Spark Climate Solutions
📍 Remote 📅 Rolling
Spark Climate Solutions, a philanthropically-funded nonprofit, is hiring a Program Manager for its Agricultural Nitrogen Transformation Program — focused on improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing nitrous oxide emissions from crop and livestock systems. Ideal for someone working at the intersection of science and policy, with strong project management skills and a background in agricultural, climate, or environmental sciences.
That’s a wrap for Issue #7 of The Field Wire. New opportunities drop every Saturday — subscribe on Substack so you never miss one.