Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow

University of Texas; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary funds

Relocation assistance

Job summary

University of Texas Institute for Geophysics invites applications for its Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship at UT Austin. This two‑year fellowship offers a $72,000 annual salary, $5,000 discretionary funds for research/travel, and up to $3,000 relocation support.

Start date is immediate with applications due Jan 15, 2027 and decisions by mid‑March 2027. Open to recent PhDs in earth and planetary sciences; applicants should contact UTIG collaborators, prepare research proposals, and submit

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field and within the last 3 years.
• At least one peer‑reviewed publication.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research aligned with UTIG directions.
• Collaborate with UTIG researchers and engage with the institute's community.
• Present research results to the scientific community and the public.

Skills

Independent research

Collaboration

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

PhD in relevant field

Peer‑reviewed publications

Job description

## Distinguished Postdoctoral FellowApply: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: December 31, 2026 (30+ days left to apply): R\\_00048973**Job Posting Title:**Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow**----****Hiring Department:**Institute for Geophysics**----****Position Open To:**All Applicants**----****Weekly Scheduled Hours:**40**----****FLSA Status:**Exempt from FLSA**----****Earliest Start Date:**Immediately**----****Position Duration:**Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2028**----****Location:**PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS**----****Job Details:****UT Austin’s Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) in The Jackson School of Geosciences invites applications for its Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship program.** This competitive institutional fellowship is open to recent PhD recipients conducting research in any area of earth and planetary sciences. Appointments are for two years, contingent upon satisfactory performance. Prior to applying, prospective applicants are expected to identify and contact potential collaborators and mentors at UTIG to discuss research interests and explore opportunities for collaboration. Fellowship recipients will join a vibrant community of postdoctoral researchers, students, research scientists, and faculty and are expected to pursue self-directed research in any scientific subfield that aligns with or expands research directions at UTIG. Successful applicants will be offered a benefits-eligible position with an annual salary of $72,000. The fellowship also provides $5,000 in discretionary funds for research and travel expenses, and up to $3,000 in one-time relocation expenses. Information for prospective UT employees can be found at https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective. For full consideration, complete applications must be received by **January 15, 2027**. We anticipate that decisions will be communicated to candidates by **mid-March 2027**. Questions about the fellowship may be directed to Cornelia Rasmussen ([e-mail]). **Purpose**To conduct independent research at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics within the Jackson School of Geosciences. **Responsibilities*** Conduct independent research in a field that aligns with or expands existing research directions at UTIG.* Collaborate with researchers at UTIG and engage with the institute's broader scientific community.* Present research results to the scientific community and the broader public.**Required Qualifications**Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field. The PhD must have been awarded within three years of the position start date. Applicants must also have at least one peer-reviewed publication.Candidates will be evaluated based on their research qualifications, including prior research experience, conference participation, awards, proposal writing, publications, and community engagement; the creativity, independence, and feasibility of their proposed research project; and the potential of their research to expand and strengthen scientific directions at UTIG. **Preferred Qualifications**Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and collaborate effectively with others. Strong written and verbal communication skills. **Salary Range**$72,000 **Working Conditions*** May work around standard office conditions.* Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.* May involve laboratory and field work. **Required Materials*** **Cover letter (1 page)** describing the applicant's research interests and prior work and addressing how the applicant meets the criteria for the fellowship.* **Curriculum vitae** including education, employment history, publications (including DOIs), record of extramural funding, if applicable, and community engagement activities.* **Research proposal (2 pages)**, including figures but excluding references, describing the applicant's proposed research and specific plans for the fellowship.* **Names and contact information for three references** willing to provide letters of recommendation.**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.