Hydrogeologist

Job Category:Academic Staff

Employment Type:Regular

Job Profile:Scientist II

Job Summary:

FTE

The position is advertised with an FTE range of 80-100% (32-40 hours per week).

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information

• Identifies research problems and develops complex research methodologies and procedures

• Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing advanced level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area

• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

• Collects and analyzes complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision

• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities

• Monitors program budget and approves unit expenditures

• May supervise the day-to-day activities of a research unit as needed

Department:

The Division of Extension, Natural Resources Institute, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey is hiring for two Hydrogeologists.

Compensation:

The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $75,000. The expected starting salary for this position is in the range of $75,000 – $100,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Applicants for this position will be considered for Scientist II and Scientist III titles. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist. Pay is commensurate with experience

The position is advertised with an FTE range of 80-100% (32-40 hours per week). Final compensation will be prorated based on the selected FTE if the finalist elects to work less than full-time.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review thesummary of benefitsfor more information.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years relevant professional experience in hydrogeology, hydrology, or a closely related field is required by the start date of the position.

• Broad training in the geological sciences, and experience in working with subsurface data sets.

• Interest and specialized experience/training in at least one of the following fields related to hydrogeology: applied geophysics, karst/fractured rock systems, hydrostratigraphy, geochemistry, groundwater modeling, or contaminant hydrogeology.

• Experience in project management including scoping work, managing budgets, and delivering products in accordance with project timelines.

• Experience in leading and conducting field-based hydrologic investigations.

• Skills and experience in presenting hydrological data in maps, cross-sections, and graphs.

• Demonstrated ability to write, present, educate, and otherwise communicate ideas effectively to a broad audience.

• Demonstrated experience with hydrogeologic and GIS software, spreadsheets, and graphic analysis.

• Ability to work professionally, courteously, collaboratively, and productively on a project team.

• Commitment to developing projects that serve societal needs.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated familiarity with the geology and hydrogeology of Wisconsin and/or the geology and hydrogeology of the Upper Midwest or Great Lakes Region of the United States.

• Experience in designing an applied research program addressing societal issues relevant to Wisconsin.

• Experience developing, securing, and implementing grant-funded research.

• Experience with supervising and mentoring others, including students engaged in mutual work projects.

• Skillful in establishing and maintaining professional work relationships and networks, especially with local, Tribal, and county governments.

Education:

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position and the outreach mission of the WGNHS and the Division of Extension. To begin the application process, click the “apply now” button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume

• Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

Please note when applying, there will beonlyoneattachment field. You must uploadall your documents in the attachment field. Please submit a cover letter referring to your work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background as it relates to this position. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.

For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please clickhttps://extension.wisc.edu/careers/.

Applicants for this position will be considered for the titles Scientist II and Scientist III. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Application Deadline is August 9, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).

Contact Information:

Sara Dawson

sara.dawson@wisc.edu

608-890-2629

Sue Swanson

sue.swanson@wisc.edu

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. SeeRELAY_SERVICEfor further information.

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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying to.Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/