Postdoctoral Researcher

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher - Aerosols and hydroclimate risk

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Hiring Department:

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

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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:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jan 01, 2027

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated early career scientist for a one-year, full-time Postdoctoral Researcher position studying the role of anthropogenic aerosols in near-term climate risk. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with Dr. Geeta Persad at UT Austin in Austin, TX.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to a set of cutting-edge projects focused on understanding and projecting hydroclimate extremes, particularly multivariate and compound events, in the context of rapidly evolving anthropogenic aerosol emissions. Using earth system multi-model large ensemble datasets under the Regional Aerosol Model Intercomparison Project (RAMIP), the Researcher will help quantify the role of aerosols—relative to greenhouse gases—in shaping historical and future hydroclimate extremes. The work will involve developing new theoretical frameworks and methodologies for attributing aerosol-driven hydroclimate hazards, analyzing the confounding effects of structural uncertainty and internal variability, and informing more robust, aerosol-aware climate projections for decision-making and climate resilience. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to high-impact, interdisciplinary climate science at the intersection of modeling, attribution, and policy-relevant research.

The position is available to begin as soon as possible, preferably no later than December 2025, and is expected to be 1 year in duration. The position carries an annual salary of $70,000 (plus benefits) and funding for publications and travel to a professional conference. The Postdoctoral Researcher will have access to mentorship, networking, and professional development resources offered through the Jackson School for Geosciences and the University of Texas Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. This position is funded by federal grants from NOAA and NSF and is subject to availability of funding.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Geeta Persad ([email protected])  directly with any questions.

The deadline to submit applications for full consideration is September 15, 2025. Applicants should submit (1) a 1-2 page letter of interest detailing how the candidate satisfies required and preferred qualifications, their ability to fulfill the position responsibilities, and specific research areas of interest within the project topics; (2) their current CV; and (3) names and email address for 3 professional references. Applications should be submitted via the University of Texas at Austin Jobs Portal, https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UTstaff

Purpose

The Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to a set of cutting-edge projects focused on understanding and projecting hydroclimate extremes, particularly multivariate and compound events, in the context of rapidly evolving anthropogenic aerosol emissions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct scientific analysis to establish and explain the response of multivariate hydroclimate extremes to near-term evolution of global aerosol emissions using large ensemble data from RAMIP and other data sources.

• Lead writing of peer-reviewed publications and present findings at scientific conferences.

• Contribute scientific expertise across project activities led by other project team members.

• Contribute to mentorship of graduate student researchers.

Required Qualifications

PhD in atmospheric science, climate science, or a related field received less than 5 years prior to date of hire.

PhD must have been obtained within 3 years from date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience working with earth system multi-model large ensemble data.

Knowledge of Regional Aerosol Model Intercomparison Project datasets and protocols.

A strong track record of published and/or submitted manuscripts on hydroclimate topics.

Strong written and oral presentation skills.

Expertise in climate system physics and earth system modeling.

Salary Range

$70,000

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Use of manual dexterity.

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.

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.