Postdoctoral Researcher; Icy Ocean Interiors

Postdoctoral Researcher (Icy Ocean World Interiors)

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 entists 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 Linked In 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
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin Capital Metro buses with staff

For more details, please see: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). and -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