AI Computational Scientist – Senior Software Engineer

University of Texas; Austin, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas invites applications for an AI Computational Scientist – Senior Software Engineer to advance AI/ML in Earth and planetary science research across the Jackson School of Geosciences. The role sits in the Dean's Office, partnering with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, the Institute for Geophysics, and the Bureau of Economic Geology.

Responsibilities include building research capacity, designing ML workflows, and developing scientific software.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, computational sciences, or related field.
• 3+ years of software development on complex systems.
• Experience with ML frameworks and Linux HPC environments.
• Strong collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Advance AI/ML methods in geoscience research across units.
• Design and evaluate ML workflows and neural surrogates.
• Collaborate with researchers to integrate AI into workflows.
• Develop and review scientific software and pipelines.

Skills

Software development

Python programming

Linux environments

Version control

Independent work

Communication

Education

Master’s degree

PhD preferred

Tools

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

Git

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 **Important** **for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:** You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.