The Water Finance Exchange (WFX) is a partnership between federal and state stakeholders, communities, philanthropy, and the financial sector to address the funding shortage of water infrastructure projects for thousands of American communities. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, WFX is comprised of a team of water and finance professionals devoted to supporting communities across the U.S. to reach sustainable water infrastructure solutions, encompassing economic, public health, and environmental needs.
WFX’s mission is to help communities access funding, financing, and expertise to implement resilient, sustainable, and equitable water infrastructure solutions. WFX serves as a neutral partner for communities to provide support from project conception to implementation.
In 2026, WFX is hiring two (2) Research Fellows to lead dedicated research projects. It is anticipated that one of these projects will benefit from an environmental engineering background (focused on groundwater management in Texas) and that the second project will require at least master’s level experience in economics, applied economics, or econometrics (evaluating the economic impact of regionalization).
WFX’s Research Fellowship program offers a 1-year opportunity for graduate-level students to support research projects with policy and practicum recommendations for the U.S. Water sector, including direct work with small, rural, and underserved communities around the country. These research projects are designed to take place from August 2026-July 2027, culminating in publication of results. These Fellowship opportunities support original research to further WFX’s mission, while building a pipeline of water sector professionals. Research fellows will work directly and collaboratively with WFX’s Applied Research Manager, Dr. Marley Bonacquist-Currin.
It is expected that 10% of the time for this Fellowship opportunity will support regular WFX operations and 90% of the time will be spent on individual research projects. This opportunity will require a commitment of approximately 10 hours a week and will be compensated with a monthly stipend of $1,000. This Fellowship will require participation in at least one in-person WFX workshop in Fall 2026 (travel costs covered). WFX may place priority on potential candidates from priority states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas.
WFX is accepting applications from June 17th to June 29th and these positions will have a targeted start date of August , 2026.
WFX is seeking two (2) part-time, remote Research Fellows.
Key responsibilities
Qualifications
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following to mbonacquist-currin@waterfx.org:
