Cross-Cutting Theme—Water and Water Resource Sustainability

As part of its overall effort to hire a substantial number of new researchers and faculty members, the Jackson School seeks outstanding scientists (as faculty members or research scientists) working in the area of Water and Water Resource Sustainability, which cuts across several of the school's core thematic areas. As in all of our new hires, we seek outstanding scientists at the forefront of their disciplines who are attracted to challenging areas of scholarship that require collaboration across disciplines and programs.

Candidates interested in consideration under this cross-cutting theme should apply to one of the four main thematic areas while highlighting their interest in and qualifications for work in the area of Water and Water Resource Sustainability.

The excerpt below from the school's strategic plan explains our vision for expanding the school's emphasis.

Excerpt from JSG strategic plan:
"Emerging Theme—Water and Water Resource Sustainability"

Water emerges as an element of the discussion in almost every proposed research frontier [in the school's new strategic plan], and hydrogeology is already recognized as a core strength of the Jackson School. In particular the school seeks new expertise in geomorphology, watershed modeling, groundwater-surface interactions, sustainability, hydro-energy, basin-scale modeling, statistical climatology, climate variability, and ecosystem evolution.

Water is essential for human life and ecosystems, and the sustainability of our water resources is critical for the future of humanity. Water scarcity is becoming a critical issue as global population expands. Globally agriculture consumes ~80% of global fresh water resources. In the developed world electric power production consumes nearly 50%. Water as the universal solvent strongly influences biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen and other non-nutrient salts. Strong linkages and feedbacks between water and vegetation are increasingly being recognized in the newly developed field of ecohydrology. Understanding the climate and climate variability controls on the water cycle is becoming increasingly important for developing sufficient predictive understanding to support sustainable management of water.

The state of Texas provides an excellent field laboratory that provides a microcosm for global issues because of the range of climates, land uses, biomes, aquifers, and prevalence of hydrologic extremes. The subsurface contains a vast archive of water cycle response to climate variability and land-use change on decadal to millennial timescales that is being addressed through newly developed satellite approaches (GRACE satellite), a host of ground-based observational systems, and modeling.

Investment in the major research themes within this strategic plan creates an opportunity to develop a state-of-the-art program in water and water resources. The success of this investment presages a future area of additional hiring and focus, with additional areas of expertise in the areas of remote sensing, ecohydrology, water cycle modeling, geoinformatics/cyberinfrastructure for water resources, sustainability, and policy and societal impacts.

In addition, we should actively seek partnerships with the Center for Space Research and Civil and Environmental Engineering (NSF Cyberinfrastructure center) to promote a comprehensive water research and education program. We have the potential to create a remarkably broad and high quality program if we are deliberate in promoting a program that cuts across our themes and builds upon our current strengths.

To apply under this cross-cutting theme, follow instructions for applying under one of the four main thematic areas and highlight your interest in and qualifications for work in Water and Water Resource Sustainability.

The University of Texas at Austin is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.