Jean Bahr

Jean Bahr is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she has been a faculty member since 1987. She holds a B.A. in Geology from Yale University (1976) and advanced degrees (M.S., Ph.D.) in Applied Earth Sciences (Hydrogeology) from Stanford University (1985, 1987). Her research focuses on hydrogeology and groundwater contamination, with additional involvement in interdisciplinary programs like geological engineering and water resources management. As department chair, she balances administrative duties, teaching, and graduate student mentorship, including fieldwork collaborations. A key workshop leader for academic career preparation in geosciences, Bahr emphasizes institutional support for work-life balance and dual-career couples in academia.

Her career path includes 4 years of geotechnical/hydrogeologic consulting (1976-1981), with field experience in Mali, West Africa, before entering academia. She advocates for understanding institutional priorities in academic job searches and highlights negotiation skills as critical for early-career geoscientists.