Postdoctoral Researcher - Geophysics

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher (Icy Ocean World Interiors)

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Hiring Department:

Institute for Geophysics

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Jan 01, 2026

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2028

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Note

UTIG is one of the 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. 

Your skills will make a difference 

You will be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. You will be part of an international effort at the forefront of advancing the energy transition. You will be part of a vibrant university experience that interweaves students, engineering and support staff and senior scientists. You will be part of a team, launching young people on their careers and advancing fundamental and applied science. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including: 

• 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 a 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 CapMetro 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

About the Position

Icy ocean worlds, which include bodies like 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. UTIG seeks a postdoctoral scholar who can contribute to ongoing work to better understand the interiors of these bodies, particularly the structure and dynamics of their icy shells.

The successful candidate would 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 and interested in a collaborative working environment, which may include working closely with faculty, students, and other postdoctoral researchers. Candidates should have a strong background in physics and mathematics as well as expertise in geophysics, geodynamics, geochemistry, and/or computer modeling (experience with Matlab or similar is preferred, but not required). In addition to supporting ongoing work at UTIG, the successful candidate will be encouraged to initiate and lead their own projects with support from Dr. Hemingway and other researchers.

The position is open now and will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. Start date is negotiable. The appointment is for up to two years, contingent on performance. The successful candidate will have access to up to $10,000 to be used towards research expenses and professional development.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Salary

$65,000 

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae (including list of publications)

• Brief (~2 page) statement of research interests

• Contact information for three references

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.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: 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. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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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. 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.

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Background Checks:

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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.