Research Assistant Professor - Pittsburgh Water ...

u00a0u00a0Research Assistant Professor - Full-Timeu00a0Geology and Environmental Sciences - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (25006927)u00a0Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory, University of Pittsburghu00a0Position Type:u00a0Full-time, Research Tracku00a0Primary Appointment:u00a0Pittsburgh Water Collaboratoryu00a0Research Affiliation:u00a0Pitt Isotope Tracers Labu00a0Reports To:u00a0Emily Elliott, Professor, Geology & Environmental Sciencesu00a0Location:u00a0Pittsburgh, PAu00a0Position Summaryu00a0Theu00a0Pittsburgh Water Collaboratoryu00a0seeks a Research Assistant Professor with dual affiliation in the Pitt Isotope Tracers Lab to bridge the Collaboratory's regional water research network withu00a0cutting-edgeu00a0analytical capabilities. This unique position combines the advantages of both institutions: the Collaboratory appointment provides lead roles in multi-institutional proposal development, visibility across federal agencies, utilities, and regional stakeholders, access to diverse funding streams, and a platform for translating research into practice; the Lab affiliation offers complete access to state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, operational authority for water quality and greenhouse gas measurement systems (coordinating with the existing Research Assistant Professor who leads IRMS systems), laboratory space and technical support, and integration with an active research program mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate will lead collaborative proposal development (30%), provide technical leadership for water chemistry and greenhouse gas analytical systems (25%), build data management infrastructure, including LIMS implementation (15%), publish synthesis papers integrating findings across network projects (15%), and mentor graduate and undergraduate students (15%). This dual-affiliation model enables building a research program with strong institutional support while leading collaborative proposals with ready-made partner networks and time-sensitive opportunities with academic colleagues and corporate partners.u00a0This is a three-year term appointment, with the potential foru00a0renewalu00a0contingent upon securing future funding and satisfactory performance. The appointment is a non-tenured, appointment stream with promotion potential. The preferred start date is February 1, 2026; however, this is negotiable. This role isu00a0designated asu00a0on-site and requires incumbents to report to work at the University of Pittsburgh.u00a0About the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratoryu00a0The Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory is an interdisciplinary network connecting researchers, water utilities, government agencies, NGOs, and community partners to address critical water issues. Our established network includes academic researchers across institutions, federal and state agency collaborators, utilities, and NGOs. Current research priorities span nutrient pollution and eutrophication management, combined sewer overflow impacts, legacy and emerging contaminants, climate change impacts on water systems, and urban stream restoration.u00a0Primary Responsibilitiesu00a0Collaborative Proposal Development (30%):u00a0Lead multi-institutional proposals with established Collaboratory partners, including USGS, DoD, US Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, regional utilities, and potential corporate partners.u00a0Identifyu00a0funding opportunities aligned with partner priorities and develop competitive proposals to NSF, EPA, USGS, and foundations. For collaborative proposals, lead methods sections, preliminary data generation, and data management plans while coordinating budgets and timelines across multiple institutions.u00a0Technical Leadership & Analytical Methods (25%):u00a0Provide technical leadership for laboratory water quality analysis systems, including Lachat nutrient analyzer and spectrophotometer, and manage greenhouse gas measurement systems for CH4, N2O, and CO2 via gas chromatography.u00a0Optimizeu00a0instrument performance, develop standard operating procedures, and ensure instrumentsu00a0re ainu00a0operational and

Created: 2025-12-25