This position has been budgeted for $5,858.68 per month and is non-negotiable.

We are seeking a qualified candidate for a social science-focused post-doctoral position. This individual will work with our team to lead interviews, focus group discussions, and workshops as part of a funded NSF R2I2 project titled Advanced Water Resilience through Collaborative Operational Strategies (AWRCOS) Incubator. During phase 1 of the project, the post-doc will work with key stakeholders and community members to co-design adaptive water management pathways tailored for California and the San Joaquin Valley. The post-doc will be co-supervised by Dr. Amy Quandt and Dr. Erfan Goharian at San Diego State University. The position will be based in San Diego, with some travel to the San Joaquin Valley.

Project Overview: The southwestern United States is facing a growing water crisis driven by the intensifying impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe droughts, extreme flooding, declining snowpack, and rising temperatures that increase evaporative demand. California is particularly vulnerable to these compounding climate change impacts, where simultaneous hazards—such as prolonged droughts, catastrophic floods, and reduced snowpack—exacerbate the challenges of water management. Over the past century, California’s San Joaquin Valley (SJV)—a region vital to national food production, biodiversity, and urban water supply—has experienced groundwater depletion exceeding 120 km³, resulting in significant land subsidence and heightened vulnerability to water scarcity. Simultaneously, existing flood management systems are under immense pressure to handle extreme weather events, threatening infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods. These challenges demand transformative, science-based water management strategies that are not only innovative but also equitable and inclusive.

The Advanced Water Resilience through Collaborative Operational Strategies (AWRCOS) Incubator addresses these critical issues by integrating earth system science, adaptive water management frameworks, and stakeholder-driven solutions. In Phase I, this project will focus on developing actionable pathways for climate-resilient water management through the co-creation of solutions such as Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) and Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). These alternatives leverage probabilistic weather forecasts to balance flood mitigation with enhanced water storage and recharging depleted groundwater aquifers using excess surface water during high-flow events and reservoir re-operation.

The project will establish a robust Research and Operations Partnership (RAOP) to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world applications and to ensure the co-development of solutions that are scientifically robust and socially equitable. The AWRCOS Incubator aims to create adaptive water management frameworks that address the region’s immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term resilience.

The postdoctoral researcher will work within a collaborative research group at San Diego State University focused on social science, climate resilience, and water management. The unit supports the NSF-funded Advanced Water Resilience through Collaborative Operational Strategies (AWRCOS) Incubator, which combines Earth system science, adaptive water management, and stakeholder-driven research. The unit conducts interdisciplinary research, engages communities and decision makers, and produces actionable knowledge to support water resilience in California and the San Joaquin Valley.

Qualitative Research and Stakeholder Engagement 50%

• Design and lead interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory workshops
• Develop interview guides, IRB materials, recruitment plans, and consent processes
• Engage community members, growers, water managers, and agency representatives in the San Joaquin Valley
• Ensure ethical standards and culturally appropriate research practices
• Analyze qualitative data and synthesize findings for project reporting

Co-Development of Adaptive Water Management Pathways 30%

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members on FIRO, MAR, and adaptive management frameworks
• Facilitate co-design sessions with stakeholders to develop actionable water management pathways
• Translate technical concepts into accessible formats for workshops and discussions
• Support development of the Research and Operations Partnership (RAOP)
• Contribute to scenario analysis, planning, and option evaluation

Communication, Publications, and Policy-Relevant Outputs 15%

• Draft manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
• Write policy briefs, workshop summaries, and presentations for non-technical audiences
• Present research findings at community meetings and academic conferences
• Support preparation of deliverables required by the NSF R2I2 program

Other Duties as Assigned 5%

• Assist with travel coordination, reporting, team meetings, and cross-institution collaboration
• Support mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students where applicable

Knowledge & Abilities

• Strong expertise in qualitative social science methods, including interviews and focus groups
• Experience with qualitative social science methods including focus group discussions and interviews
• Understanding of California water systems, agricultural issues, and SGMA
• Spanish language proficiency in order to communicate with non-English speakers
• Proven record of publication in high-quality academic journals
• Ability to engage diverse communities and communicate scientific concepts clearly
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team
• Strong writing, organization, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience communicating scientific findings to non-experts (e.g., coordinating workshops, writing policy briefs, and other outreach)
• Conduct field surveys and interviews

Minimum Education & Experience

• PhD in social sciences, environmental studies, geography, sociology, public policy, or related field

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• Experience working in interdisciplinary research teams
• Experience working with multicultural communities and stakeholders
• Experience producing policy-relevant and community-engaged research
• Interest in producing policy-relevant science aimed at informing real-world decision-making
• Willingness to relocate to San Diego and travel to San Joaquin Valley

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.