We are seeking postdoctoral and post master’s applicants for a Fellowship focused on better understanding atrazine in Wisconsin groundwater.
The Fellow will work closely with Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) staff, other state and federal agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and professionals from a variety of fields to tackle the important water quality challenges of atrazine in Wisconsin drinking water. The fellowship mentor team will include Environmental Quality unit supervisor Mark McColloch (DATCP), Dr. Carla Romano (DATCP), and Dr. Jennifer Hauxwell (UW-Madison Water Resources Institute).
We seek applicants from a variety of backgrounds including hydrogeology, environmental engineering, geological engineering, water resources, environmental science, etc. to conduct ongoing atrazine prohibition areas evaluations. Core priorities for this fellowship include:
- Evaluate historical atrazine groundwater data, such as comparing groundwater data before and after the establishment of atrazine prohibition areas.
- Assess the total number and location of active private potable wells within the prohibition area, using the DATCP database and the DNR Groundwater Retrieval Network.
- Identify data gaps.
- Evaluate groundwater data, flow maps, soil data, and well properties information to identify wells that require additional sampling.
- Conduct additional groundwater sampling.
- Interpret water testing results.
- Write and send letters with groundwater results to well owners.
- Devise a comprehensive workflow for assessing the effectiveness of management strategies for any pesticides that are or will be subject to restriction.
- Participate in various outreach and education activities, including bimonthly meeting with DNR and DHS, interagency drinking water meeting, developing outreach material for residents living in areas that may have concerning concentrations of atrazine in drinking water, and giving oral or webinar presentations for various scientific and non-scientific audiences.
- Assist the UW and/or DATCP with potential water quality-focused mini-projects.
The Fellow will have opportunities to work with a variety of stakeholders such as other state agencies, local partners, and members of the public. This position offers a unique opportunity to broaden understanding of statutes and regulatory frameworks. Through this project, the Fellow will gain a better understanding of, and experience serving in, the role of an applied scientist in pesticides management and pesticides groundwater monitoring. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to expand their science and communication skill sets, learning best practices to effectively convey technical information to a broad range of audiences. In addition to the core priorities above, the fellowship provides flexibility in pursuing other projects uniquely suited for the Fellow related to water quality research, outreach, and/or policy.
Application deadline is March 17, 2024. More details including application instructions here
For more information, contact jennifer.hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu