Postdoctoral Researcher (Icy Ocean World Interiors)
The University of Texas at Austin
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Qualifications
- Completed Ph.D. within the last three years.
- Solid foundation in geophysics or computer modeling.
- Strong publication record in relevant research topics.
Responsibilities
- Develop models of geodynamical processes in planetary interiors.
- Contribute to research on Enceladus, Titan, Europa, Ganymede.
- Help lead new research projects in related areas.
Skills
Education
Job description
Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS, Austin, TX
Department: Institute for Geophysics, Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher (Icy Ocean World Interiors)
Schedule: 40 hours per week, Full-time
Start Date: Negotiable, with appointment for up to 2 years contingent on performance, extendable
Salary: $65,000 base, with up to $10,000 research and professional development funding
Job Details: UTIG is one of three research units of the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin. Scientists and students at UTIG conduct expeditionary research in Earth Science in all parts of the world and are also involved in planetary missions and climate modeling. These research projects produce large data sets and require computational analysis and visualization.
- Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%)
- Voluntary vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options
- Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
- Hybrid work schedule
- Additional voluntary retirement programs: Tax‑sheltered annuity 403(b) and deferred compensation program 457(b)
- Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
- Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
- Tuition assistance
- Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
- Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card
- Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin Capital Metro buses with staff ID card
For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards
Icy ocean worlds—Enceladus, Titan, Europa, and Ganymede—constitute a fascinating and important class of planetary bodies that we are just beginning to understand. Computer modeling is an important tool to help advance our understanding of the interiors of these bodies and the geophysical processes that drive their evolution and behavior. We seek a postdoctoral scholar who can contribute to ongoing work to better understand the interiors, particularly the structure and dynamics of their icy shells.
The successful candidate will work primarily with Dr. Douglas Hemingway but will have opportunities to collaborate with other researchers at UTIG, across the Jackson School of Geosciences, and across the wider UT campus. Candidates should be self‑motivated, collaborative, and interested in a working environment that includes faculty, students, and fellow postdocs. A strong background in physics and mathematics with expertise in geophysics, geodynamics, geochemistry, or computer modeling (experience with MATLAB or similar preferred) is required.
The position is open now and will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.
- Develop computer models of geodynamical processes in planetary interiors, especially icy ocean worlds.
- Contribute to ongoing research projects related to the interiors of Enceladus, Titan, Europa, and Ganymede.
- Help develop and lead new research projects in related areas.
- Contribute to research within a vibrant group of students, postdocs, and staff.
- Present results to the scientific community and broader public.
- Ph.D. in planetary science, physics, astronomy, geophysics, or a related field, completed within the last three years.
- Strong background in mathematics and programming; MATLAB or similar preferred.
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative working mindset.
- Strong publication record in closely related research topics.
- Research experience with modeling planetary interiors, especially icy ocean worlds.
- Research experience related to the formation, differentiation, and thermal evolution of planetary interiors, especially icy moons.
- May work around standard office conditions.
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
- Curriculum Vitae (including list of publications)
- Brief (≤2 page) statement of research interests
- Contact information for three references
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 can multipart select additional files. Before submitting your online application, ensure that all required materials have been uploaded. Once your application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
As a current university employee or contingent worker, you must apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current university employee, log in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu, and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page, and you will be prompted to upload your resume. You must also respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional required materials noted above.
Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and can perform all essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
The retirement plan for this position is the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
A criminal history background check will be required for finalists under consideration for this position.
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.
The University of Texas at Austin will not 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.
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form and present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents must be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
The University of Texas at Austin uses 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, see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF], Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF], Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF].
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 as 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.
Not Applicable
Full-time
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Higher Education
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