Research Scientist

Overview

The Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Research Scientist in geothermal energy and subsurface geomechanics, working under the supervision of Manoochehr Shirzaei. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary and internationally engaged research team investigating the coupled physics of fluid injection, poromechanical deformation, and earthquake nucleation in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and other subsurface energy operations. Our research integrates geophysics, hydrology, and geomechanics to address questions related to induced seismicity, reservoir sustainability, and the long-term reliability of geothermal energy as a component of future water–energy security.

The primary responsibility of the Research Scientist (approximately 80% effort) will be to develop, implement, and apply advanced poromechanical fluid-diffusion and fault-failure models to better understand induced seismicity processes associated with geothermal stimulation and production. This work will be closely connected to observational constraints (e.g., seismicity catalogs, surface deformation, injection and production records) and is expected to lead to high-impact, peer-reviewed journal publications.

The Research Scientist will also contribute (approximately 20% effort) to mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and participating in the development of competitive research proposals. The position offers substantial intellectual independence, opportunities to shape new research directions, and engagement with national and international partners working on next-generation geothermal energy and subsurface resilience challenges.