This position will report to the Research Assistant Professor and contribute to the TNWaterTA research program that provides technical support and training to small water and wastewater systems across the United States. The position will learn to use specialized knowledge of water/wastewater systems (including transport and treatment processes, hydrology and hydraulics, and computational modeling) to support the PI with completing project deliverables which will include the development and implementation of hydraulic analysis and asset management tools, training material, and assisting systems with their operations, analysis, and planning. The position will be expected to work alongside and collaborate with undergraduate research assistants on project tasks.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Physics
• Experience: No initial experience required, however, internship experience will be considered.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Knowledge of basic fluid mechanics and hydraulics.

  • Ability to communicate (both written and oral) for training and communication with research project sponsors, and preparation of professional quality progress reports.

  • Ability to communicate (both written and oral) with rural utility staff.

  • Good organizational skills for managing multiple projects' tasks and deliverables.

  • Some knowledge of in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience:

  • Knowledge and/or experience in hydraulics and hydrology, computational modeling, water and wastewater engineering, and database management.

  • Technical writing, giving technical presentations, and managing time on multiple projects, tasks, and deliverables.

  • Consulting and/or working in state or federal entities working with EPA.

  • Experience managing multiple projects, tasks, and deliverables.

  • Experience with GIS, EPANET, EPASWMM, python, and/or MATLAB.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Skilled in geographic information systems (GIS) software.

  • Skilled in hydraulic modeling software (EPANET, EPASWMM).

  • Skilled in writing computer code (VBA, python, MATLAB).

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite (possibility of remote work based on qualifications of applicant)

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR07
• Anticipated hiring range: $53,000 - $68,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with all of the following requested attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The Department

The TNWaterTA Program is part of the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center (TNWRRC), a federally designated state research institute supported in part by the U.S. Geological Survey. TNWRRC serves water resource experts in academia, government, and the private sector, and works to establish productive partnerships within these sectors. TNWRRC is part of the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment (ISSE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. TNWRRC’s mission is to coordinate research, education, community outreach activities, and training across the state of Tennessee among government agencies, universities, and private sector professionals. The TNWaterTA Program contributes to that mission by supporting rural water and wastewater systems with technical assistance and training opportunities.

• With direction and knowledge from the PI this role completes project tasks and deliverables. Tasks will include Geographic Information System (GIS) use and analysis, development and analysis of infrastructure asset management plans, development and implementation of hydraulic models, development of training materials, assist with hosting trainings and webinars, national asset data management, and statistical analysis.

• Document progress toward project tasks and deliverables in regular progress reports.

• Collaborate with undergraduate research assistants on project tasks to assist with direction provided from the PI

• Travel to assist utilities with project tasks and deliverables mentioned above.

• Helps PI with contributions to scientific, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts

• Assists with the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center's general operational needs including administrative tasks (procurement research for equipment, send emails to schedule undergrad interviews, and scheduling meetings), creating and assisting with implementation of training programs, and in support of other ongoing research projects that are part of the Center.