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Research Staff Positions

The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) seeks to hire three Research Staff members in the following broadly defined areas: (1) Coastal Processes and Geohazards; (2) Solid Earth-Cryosphere Interactions; and (3) Crustal Deformation, Earth Surface Change, and Geodesy. We seek colleagues who creatively use theoretical, computational, observational and/or experimental approaches to address fundamental problems in understanding processes on Earth or other planets. Current areas of research at UTIG include, but are not limited to: ice sheet and ocean dynamics, marine geology and geophysics, plate tectonics, earthquake seismology, planetary geophysics and habitability, climate dynamics, and paleoclimatology.

What We’re Looking For

We are interested in candidates who will bring new research expertise and perspectives to UTIG, and who have the potential to build bridges between existing areas of research strength. Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to a dynamic and diverse research community at the University of Texas at Austin through the development of a vigorous, internationally-recognized, and externally-funded research program, and through engagement with colleagues, postdoctoral scholars, and students. Candidates must hold a Ph.D., or be near completion of this degree in Earth Science or a related field. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from nontraditional research backgrounds and from scientists who understand the experiences of those underrepresented in higher education and research.

About the Position

We anticipate hiring at the Research Associate rank. Research Associates are part of the research staff at UTIG and receive six months of institutional salary support, with the rest obtained from externally-funded research programs. Research appointments at UTIG follow a career track similar to that of academic faculty, in which the rank of Research Associate is approximately analogous to that of Assistant Professor. Research staff at UTIG can advise or co-advise postdocs, and both graduate and undergraduate students.

About UTIG

UTIG is part of the Jackson School of Geosciences, which houses top research programs across all areas of the Earth Sciences. UTIG is also closely allied with the Texas Advanced Computing Center, and it is involved in several research centers and programs at UT focused on emerging Earth Science problems, such as the Center for Planetary Systems Habitability, the Center for Space Research, and the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences. UTIG employs both computational- and field-based technical support staff, and operates a variety of field equipment and lab facilities.

How to Apply

Applicants should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a two-page statement of research interests, a one-page diversity statement, up to three recent peer-reviewed publications, and the names and contact information of three qualified persons who can provide the search committee a reference letter upon request. For full consideration, applications should be submitted by December 1, 2020. You can view and apply for the position on the University’s job page.  

For any further questions, please contact the search committee chair: Harm Van Avendonk (e-mail: harm@ig.utexas.edu).

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Research Engineering Scientist Associate III

The GeoFluids and Geomechanics Group with UTIG is hiring a Research Engineering Scientist Associate (RESA-III). The engineer will support fluid flow and deformation experiments.

Responsibilities

The candidate will be responsible for operating, maintaining, and overseeing a wide variety of experimental equipment including high pressure pumps, loading vessels, and deformation, acoustic, and pressure sensors. The individual will need to be mechanically inclined, to have a strong hands-on capability, to be willing to learn new techniques, and to work effectively in teams. The candidate will assist delivery, transport, storage, and manipulation of pressurized and non-pressurized samples. The individual will develop and maintain health and safety standards, including the safe operation of high-pressure systems, and flammable liquids and gasses. The individual will develop standard operating procedures, and provide user training. The individual will contract and perform maintenance of these laboratories, build and troubleshoot experimental systems, maintain and calibrate sensors and instrumentation, and collaborate with internal and external researchers.

Read more about the UT Geomechanics Laboratory.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree and two years of related experience, or bachelor’s degree and four years of related experience. Thorough knowledge of special equipment used in the field of research.

Preferred Qualifications

Education and experience higher than the required field.

Salary Range

$42,228 + depending on qualifications

How to Apply

Visit this job’s posting on UT Workday to apply.

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Computational Geoscientist

The Computational Geoscientist will provide technical leadership and expertise to develop, optimize, and deploy software and workflows that enable new Earth and planetary science research utilizing high performance computing, visualization, and big data approaches.

Responsibilities

The candidate is expected to work with a number of computationally oriented researchers and their graduate students at UTIG. She/he is to lead and assist in a range of computational tasks. These could include

• adaptation of existing codes as well as new algorithm and software development for multi-scale, multi-physics problems,
• implementation and deployment of software, optimization of software for high-performance, massively parallel computing platforms,
• optimization of workflows including high throughput data processing, development of platforms to analyze large model outputs, construction of adjoint models, as well as other computational and data science tasks.

The successful candidate will have the scientific and interpersonal skills to interface with diverse and heterogeneous teams of scientists as well as to work independently. She/he has to be self-motivated and is encouraged to bring in their personal scientific interests and expertise into collaborative projects.

Required Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Earth or computational sciences, applied math, engineering, physics, or a related field; experience working in a computational research position; proficiency in at least one common programming language, such as Python, C/C++, or F90; ability to work independently under established deadlines and as part of a team; strong interpersonal communications skills; ability to travel to partner and collaborator institutions, relevant conferences, etc. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in Earth or computational sciences, applied math, engineering, physics, or a related field; Peer-reviewed publications; demonstrated research experience in the Earth and planetary sciences (e.g., climate dynamics, geodynamics, seismology and exploration geophysics, or dynamo studies); and proficiency in more than one programming language.

Salary Range

$50,000 + depending on qualifications

How to Apply

Visit this job’s posting on the University’s job board to apply.

Questions about the position may be addressed to Thorsten Becker.

Applications must include:

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Note: Review of applications will begin June 1, and the position will remain open until filled.