To be considered, please submit the following materials via Google Form: https://forms.gle/vhj2XujQVvTy4Scm9 

(1) Cover letter describing research experience, interests, and fit for the position; (2) Curriculum vitae; (3) Up to three representative publications (links are sufficient for published papers; for unpublished manuscripts, please include files); (4) Contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin on June 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

We welcome applicants with disabilities and support individuals in requesting accommodations.

The Zhu Lab at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on causality detection in ecohydrological feedbacks relevant to rapid-onset (?flash?) droughts. The postdoc will be jointly advised by Dr. Kai Zhu (University of Michigan) and Dr. Yanlan Liu (University of California, Los Angeles) and will be part of a broader NASA-funded project.

The postdoc will develop and apply quantitative approaches to infer causal relationships among vegetation dynamics, hydroclimate conditions, and drought indicators across space and time. The project emphasizes integration of satellite remote sensing, eddy-covariance/flux tower data, and reanalysis/land-surface products to understand land-atmosphere-vegetation interactions at subseasonal-to-seasonal timescales. Exact directions are flexible and will be shaped by the postdoc's expertise and interests, but will center on event-based ecohydrological dynamics (e.g., dry-downs following rainfall and/or heat pulses) and rigorous causal analysis beyond correlation.

The position is based in-person in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at U?M SEAS, with potential opportunities to visit UCLA for collaboration. The postdoc will also have opportunities to interact with NASA collaborators, including Dr. Alexey Shiklomanov and Dr. Dhruva Kathuria (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center).

This is a 2-year postdoctoral position. The appointment will be made initially for one year, with the expectation of renewal for a second year contingent on performance and funding. Start date is flexible. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience, consistent with University of Michigan policies.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. (completed by the start date) in a relevant field such as ecohydrology, remote sensing, environmental science, ecology, atmospheric science, statistics, or a closely related discipline. 

We are especially interested in candidates who demonstrate strengths in some combination of: (1) Quantitative/statistical modeling and/or machine learning (including time-series analysis); (2) Causal inference or related approaches for observational spatiotemporal data; (3) Working with large environmental datasets (remote sensing, flux towers, reanalysis); (4) Land-atmosphere, hydrological, or plant physiological modeling; (5) Programming for scientific workflows (e.g., Python and/or R), reproducible research practices, and data processing.

Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team, are essential.
 

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
   

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.