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Research Scientist Associate

  • 503899
  • Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
  • Staff
  • Staff Full-time
  • Closing at: Aug 20 2026 - 23:55 MDT
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Department Contact: Carolina Mijares, (575) 646-4337 & mijares@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

 

Advertising Summary: The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) at New Mexico State University (NMSU) invites applications for a Research Scientist Associate to join an interdisciplinary team working to improve water resilience and sustainable agriculture across New Mexico.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work alongside researchers, agricultural producers, acequia associations, Tribal Nations, pueblos, irrigation districts, and other community partners to develop innovative solutions to water management challenges intensified by drought and climate variability. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research that integrates hydrology, geospatial science, community engagement, systems modeling, and regional planning to support informed water management decisions.

The Research Scientist Associate will contribute to projects funded by the Bureau of Reclamation, National Science Foundation, and other state and federal sponsors. Current research focuses on the Northern Rio Grande and San Juan Basins, where communities are collaboratively identifying watershed-scale water management strategies that strengthen agricultural productivity, water security, and long-term resilience.

Working within a transdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and community partners, the successful candidate will help evaluate alternative water management scenarios, integrate social and natural systems research, and develop decision-support tools that inform water policy and resource management throughout the Southwest.

 

Position Details

Position Title: Research Scientist Associate

College/Division: Research, Creativity and ED

Department: 470500-WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: Collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator, project team, and community partners to advance research that supports sustainable water management and agricultural resilience.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Lead and coordinate assigned research activities, project milestones, and technical deliverables.
Collaborate with agricultural communities, acequia associations, Tribal Nations, pueblos, irrigation districts, and other stakeholders to co-develop and evaluate alternative regional water management strategies.

Conduct specialized research using geospatial analysis, remote sensing, hydrologic modeling, water budget analysis, and related quantitative methods.

Integrate research findings into watershed models, visualization tools, and decision-support products that inform community and regional planning.

Collect, analyze, and synthesize environmental, hydrologic, and social data to support project objectives.

Mentor graduate students and contribute to an interdisciplinary research environment.

Prepare technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications for scientific, agency, and stakeholder audiences.

Assist with proposal development and contribute to expanding NM WRRI's externally funded research portfolio.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Develop collaborative research partnerships and contribute to the institute's research growth.

Participate in the preparation and submission of at least three external funding proposals annually.

Publish at least three peer-reviewed scholarly publications annually.

Travel within New Mexico to conduct fieldwork, participate in stakeholder meetings, and collaborate with project partners as needed.

 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field. Required Experience: Five(5) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined; Equivalency: None; Required Certification/License:

Equivalent Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Special Certification/Licensure: 

 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures. 

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus
Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus
Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College
Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance. 

Alamogordo Campus
Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus
NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement
New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request

Apply now!

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