Senior Hydrologist (Evapotranspiration)

Position Overview

Job Location: Bengaluru (hybrid)

Type of Engagement: Consultant

About the Role: This role will involve synthesising global best practices in remote sensing-based ET modeling, maintaining ground-based flux tower data, coordinating collection of soil moisture data, generating and comparing ET estimates, and refining models to address India-specific conditions. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in ET modeling, proven experience working with flux tower data, a strong command of geospatial analysis tools, and a track record of publishing on ET research. This is a high-ownership role where the candidate will contribute to product development, applied research, and proposal writing to support a new generation of hydrological monitoring tools.

Responsibilities

1. Review and synthesise remote sensing approaches to estimate ET and soil moisture from global open-source literature and platforms like OpenET.
2. Generate remote-sensing ET and soil moisture data for India using state-of-the art approaches and satellite imagery.
3. Collect and manage ET and soil moisture data from WELL Labs’ eddy covariance station in Raichur and other publicly available flux tower data in India.
4. Design and implement robust validation exercises for selected remote sensing-based ET models.
5. Conduct inter-comparison studies of multiple ET products specific to Indian landscapes and cropping patterns.
6. Perform technical analyses to evaluate model performance and understand issues like cloud cover, crop diversity, and small parcel heterogeneity.
7. Develop workflows and scripts on Google Earth Engine and other remote sensing platforms for ET and soil moisture modeling.
8. Design and execute a pilot study to validate and recommend the best-performing ET and soil moisture products for select agro-climatic zones.
9. Author high-quality technical reports and scientific manuscripts detailing findings, methods, and recommendations.
10. Collaborate with other hydrologists and external researchers to guide product development.
11. Lead the writing of research proposals and grant applications for expanded work on ET monitoring and modeling.

Qualifications, Experience and Eligibility

1. PhD in Hydrology, Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, or related field, ideally focussed on evapotranspiration modeling, soil moisture estimation, and flux tower data analysis.
2. Minimum of 5 years of experience in the water sector, with a proven track record in project management and stakeholder engagement (PhD work would account for 3 years of work experience).
3. Demonstrated experience working directly with ET and soil moisture data—both data collection and interpretation.
4. Proficiency in Google Earth Engine (GEE) and associated remote sensing and GIS tools.
5. Proven track record of publishing scientific work related to ET or remote sensing hydrology.
6. Ability to synthesise complex information and communicate it clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, including domestic and international partners.
7. Strong project management skills, with the ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
8. High level of ownership, accountability, and attention to detail in all phases of research and product development.
9. Ability to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, with a passion for driving impactful change in water management practices.