Postdoctoral Researcher – Groundwater Hydro-Environmental and Salinity Impact Assessment

University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) was officially established by the Emiri Decision No13 of 2022, and it is the first national university specializing in academic applied, technical, and professional education in the State of Qatar. UDST has over 70 bachelor's and master's degree programs, diplomas, and certificates. The university houses 5 colleges: The College of Business, the College of Computing and Information Technology, the College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of General Education, in addition to specialized training centers for individuals and companies. UDST is recognized for its student-centered learning and state-of-the-art facilities. Its world-renowned faculty and researchers work on developing the students’ skills and help raise well-equipped graduates who proudly serve different sectors of the economy and contribute to achieving human, social, and economic development goals nationally and internationally.

With more than 700 staff and over 8,000 students, UDST is the destination of choice for applied and experiential learning. The University is recognized for its student-centered learning and state-of-the-art facilities. Our faculty are committed to delivering pedagogically-sound learning experiences that incorporate innovative learning technologies.  Our aim is to enhance students’ skills and help develop talented graduates who can effectively contribute to a knowledge-based economy and make Qatar’s National Vision 2030 a reality.

The Applied Research, Innovation and Economic Development Directorate of UDST invites applications for the position of Post Doctoral Researcher to work in the UDST Climate Change and Environment - Water Security project and the research initiatives of the UDST Center of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability.

The primary objective of this research position is to evaluate the hydro-environmental impacts on groundwater in Qatar, focusing on developing sustainable adaptation strategies and a real-time water security dashboard. The successful candidate will contribute to understanding and mitigating the environmental challenges associated with groundwater resources in Qatar. The candidate will be involved in assessing agricultural demand, the sustainability of intelligent agriculture, urban water integrity, forecasting climate change resilience, and analyzing groundwater salinity trends within Qatar using experimental and hydrological modelling.

The successful candidate will also monitor hydrological parameters to support the research toward developing AI-integrated hydrological models. The incumbent will study parameters using a variety of modern field and laboratory equipment including computational and GIS analysis. In addition, additional roles include calibrating and maintaining of instrumentation, participating in the collection of field samples throughout Qatar, assisting in data analysis, manuscript writing, and preparing project reports. The candidate will interact with researchers and stakeholders (local and international collaborators and institutions) with respect to the project. Fluency in written and spoken English is required, and fluency in spoken and written Arabic is an advantage.

The candidates must have a PhD in Environmental Science/Hydrology/Water Resources Engineering or a closely related discipline from a renowned university. Research experience in the below areas is an added advantage,

1. Groundwater management, hydro-environmental impact assessment, or related fields.
2. Assessment of groundwater salinity, agricultural water use, or climate change impacts on water resources.
3. Developing and applying life cycle assessment (LCA) models and deep-learning methodologies for environmental research.
4. Experience in applying machine learning (ML) techniques to enhance hydrological and environmental modeling is an added advantage.

Preferable research experience and skills

Technical Expertise:

1. Knowledge of experimental hydrological approaches in community hydrology and water resource management.

2. Strong background in hydro-environmental modelling, including the use of digital tools for irrigation management.

3. Experience with the development and application of sustainability indexes (Water Stress Index, Watershed Sustainability Index, Sustainable Water Management Index, Agriculture Indices).

Software Proficiency:

1. Expertise in GIS, remote sensing, and environmental modelling software.

2. Programming languages such as Python, R, or MATLAB for data analysis and model development.

Analytical Skills and Project Management:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address key research challenges.

2. Ability to synthesize complex data and information into actionable insights and recommendations.

3. Ability to manage and execute multiple research tasks concurrently, with a focus on delivering high-quality time-driven outputs.

4. Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication of research findings.

Application procedure

The application should be in English. The application should be sent electronically and attached as PDF files, as shown below. The maximum size for each file is 10 MB.

1. CV:(Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Job Ref. number) including:

• A complete list of publications
• Previous research experiences
• Two references who can be approached to write letters of reference/recommendation

2. Cover letter: (Please name the document as Personal letter, Family name, Job Ref. number) 1-3 pages outlining:

• Introduction and your previous research experience, with highlights of your significant research findings
• Relate your qualifications, experience, and skills to the job requirements
• Describe your future goals and future research focus