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Call for Theme Leads for the 2024 Summer Institute Now Open

January 5

Deadline to Apply 1.5.2024

CUAHSI is seeking Research Project Theme Leaders to join the 2024 National Water Center Innovators Program Summer Institute to be held June 10 - July 26, 2024. As a Theme Leader, you will play a crucial role in guiding student research projects and research teams and ensuring a successful project-based learning experience. If you are eager to support the next generation of water researchers, we encourage you to apply.

A successful applicant will demonstrate:

They are an active member of the scientific community with research experience in a relevant subject matter.
Experience and excitement for mentoring students and supporting student growth and learning.
Interest in collaborative science and experience leading a team.
Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of Summer Institute fellows and alumni.
Willingness to ideate new research projects aligned with program themes and alongside program organizers.

Key Responsibilities:

Participate in virtual meetings during the program planning period (periodic, March to May 2024).
Lead spring webinars (April-May 2024) to introduce incoming students to the Summer Institute.
Collaborate with the National Water Center and CUAHSI to refine research project themes.
Ensure data readiness for program kickoff.
Work with Summer Institute Leadership to ensure computing resources are suitable for project completion by May 15.
Provide on-site instruction on specific modules during the SI introduction and training period (June 10 - 21, 2024 though alternative arrangements may be made on a case-by-case basis if in-person attendance for the entire two weeks is not possible).
Provide mentorship and guidance to students in person and virtually during the program.
Attend the Capstone event at the University of Alabama (July 25, 2024).
Guide students in designing and executing their projects.
Be available for weekly remote office hours throughout the Summer Institute.
Assist students with preparing project chapters for the 2024 SI final report, and capstone presentation.
Comply with the CUAHSI Code of Conduct and ensure students do the same, reporting any issues to CUAHSI or National Water Center leadership as necessary.

Possible Research Themes for the 2024 Summer Institute:

Use of topo-bathy, Land Use/Land Cover (LULC), and building footprint data to identify high flow thresholds.
Exploration of optimal hydrologic model formulations for low-flow predictions, with a focus on conceptual groundwater.
Developing applications that effectively characterize the uncertainty in Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM).
Advancing reservoir modeling through the assimilation of Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) (e.g., including observations in the NextGen hydrofabric water bodies, channel definition).
Identify appropriate hydrologic model formulations and methods for state adjustment as part of the streamflow data assimilation process.
Assimilation of geosynchronous satellite imagery (visible & infrared) into NextGen for improved radiation balance modeling.

Theme Leaders will be paid an honorarium for their role in the Summer Institute. Travel-related expenses will be covered by the program.

CUAHSI is committed to creating a collaborative and inclusive Summer Institute. We believe a diverse and inclusive community is essential for promoting innovation, equity, and excellence in the water sciences and related fields. To this end, we seek candidates for the Theme Leader position who share our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community.

Our commitment to inclusion extends to ensuring that the Summer Institute program is accessible and adaptable. As such, we support alternative arrangements for Theme Leaders, such as co-leading research themes, to provide opportunities for all individuals. If you have specific ideas or needs that you would like to discuss during the application process, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please contact Deanna McCay (email hidden; JavaScript is required) with any questions or concerns.