AI Computational Scientist – Senior Software Engineer

University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for an AI Computational Scientist – Senior Software Engineer in the Jackson School of Geosciences. This role provides technical leadership to advance AI/ML in Earth and planetary science research across three units and supports the Dean's AI initiatives.

You will design and implement scientific machine-learning workflows, collaborate with faculty and researchers, and help translate AI methods into robust software, training materials, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, computational sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing, training, and evaluating ML models using modern frameworks.
• Experience with Linux-based HPC environments and version control.

Responsibilities

• Partner with faculty and researchers to accelerate AI/ML-driven geoscience research.
• Design, implement, and evaluate ML workflows for Earth/planetary science applications.
• Develop scientific software and computational workflows with researchers.

Skills

Communication

Time management

Collaboration

Independent work

Education

Master's degree

Ph.D. (preferred)

Tools

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

Job description

Job Posting Title:

AI Computational Scientist – Senior Software Engineer

Hiring Department:

John A and Katherine G Jackson School of Geosciences

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

Purpose

The AI Computational Scientist will provide technical expertise and coordination to advance the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Earth and planetary science research across the Jackson School of Geosciences and its three units: the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, the Institute for Geophysics, and the Bureau of Economic Geology. The position is housed in the Office of the Dean and reports to the Special Advisor to the Dean for AI and Computing. It complements and supports the existing computational scientists in the units.

Responsibilities

Research Capacity Building and Scientific AI Development

• Partner with faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and unit computational scientists across the Jackson School of Geosciences to accelerate research through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods.
• Design, implement, and evaluate machine learning, scientific AI, and data integration workflows for Earth and planetary science research applications.
• Develop and apply scientific AI approaches, including neural surrogates and emulators, graph-network-based simulators, physics-informed neural networks, and foundation-model-based tools for geoscience data.
• Collaborate directly with research groups through embedded engagements to enhance computational workflows, transfer technical expertise, and support adoption of advanced AI methods.
• Develop, review, test, and debug scientific software and computational workflows in partnership with researchers.
• Collaborate with unit computational staff to provide guidance on AI-assisted software development, including evaluation, verification, effective use, and limitations of code-generation tools.
• Curate and maintain shared resources, including inventories of AI-ready geoscience datasets, benchmark problems, and reference implementations for common scientific AI applications.

Teaching and Training Support

• Collaborate with faculty to develop computational learning materials, including notebooks, datasets, exercises, and instructional modules that introduce artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts in undergraduate and graduate geoscience courses.
• Support workshops, training activities, and educational initiatives focused on AI methods, scientific computing, and AI-assisted programming.
• Provide technical expertise and consultation to promote responsible and effective adoption of AI technologies in educational settings.

Strategic Coordination and Administrative AI Development

• Collaborate with the Dean's Office, academic units, and university partners to identify and advance AI-related opportunities across the Jackson School of Geosciences.
• Represent the school in university-level technical AI working groups and communicate opportunities related to computing resources, software licensing, seed funding, and related initiatives.
• Work with Dean’s staff to evaluate, develop, and help implement administrative AI approaches to facilitate workflows and coordinate technology transfer and training for JSG staff.
• Track, document, and report on AI-related activities, needs, and emerging opportunities across the school.

Perform other related duties as assigned. This position does not administer shared computing infrastructure, provide general information technology support, or manage generative AI model training programs.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, computational sciences, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics, or a related field.
• At least three years of experience in software development on complex systems.
• Production experience with at least two programming languages, including scientific Python.
• Demonstrated experience developing, training, and evaluating machine learning models using frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow, or similar technologies.
• Experience with Linux-based scientific computing environments and high-performance computing systems.
• Experience using version control systems and collaborative software development practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet established deadlines.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary research teams.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Earth sciences, computational sciences, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with scientific machine learning methods, including neural surrogates or emulators, physics-informed neural networks, operator learning, or related approaches.
• Research experience in Earth and planetary sciences or significant experience working with geoscience datasets.
• Experience developing computational training materials, instructional modules, workshops, or course content.
• Experience integrating and managing heterogeneous scientific datasets and data formats.
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms and advanced computing resources, including the TACC ecosystem and related research computing infrastructure.
• Record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications and/or contributions to open-source software projects.
• Proficiency in additional programming languages beyond Python.

Salary Range

$95,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a work station.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Weekend and evening work may be required.
• Lifting objects, bending, kneeling, walking, standing.

Required Materials

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

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) . If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.