Postdoctoral Fellow

Overview

The Department of Geosciences at Utah State University (USU) seeks a full‑time postdoctoral researcher to join the NSF‑supported project “Bridging Geoscience and Engineering to Interrogate Seismic Cycle Processes in the Earthquake Critical Zone (FRES)”. The position will be supervised by Dr. Alexis Ault and will involve close collaboration with project PIs and teams at USU, Brown University, California State University Fullerton, and collaborators in Turkey.

The successful candidate will bring innovative approaches to connect earthquake geology, geochemistry, and mechanics to investigate the earthquake critical zone, focusing on the southern San Andreas fault and the Mw7.6 Elbistan earthquake surface rupture in Turkey. Review of applications will begin on December 19th, 2025 and the position will remain open until filled. For further information, contact the search committee chair, Dr.

Alexis Ault (alexis.ault). This 12‑month, full‑time role is funded for two years, with renewal after year 1 contingent on satisfactory progress toward research goals.

• Develop and carry out independent and collaborative research, using field, laboratory, and analytical approaches, to investigate processes and interactions in the earthquake critical zone.
• Leverage USU’s state‑of‑the‑art research facilities, including the Rock Deformation and Earthquake Mechanics Laboratory, Mineral Microscopy and Spectroscopy Laboratory, and Microscopy Core Facility.
• Engage and collaborate with a team of Earth scientists and engineers at USU and partner institutions.
• Mentor and collaborate with graduate and undergraduate students engaged in the project.
• Disseminate research through presentations at scientific meetings and publications in peer‑reviewed journals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Earth Sciences or a related field at the time of appointment, with experience in earthquake geology in the field or laboratory (e.g., microstructural analysis, rock deformation).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in earthquake geology/fault‑zone processes, structural geology, or experimental rock deformation of Earth materials.
• Strong publication record and demonstrated ability to work across disciplinary boundaries.
• Commitment to mentoring students and contributing to collaborative, team‑based science.

• Resume (upload to Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”).
• Two‑page statement of research background and interests (upload to Candidate Profile under “Documents 1‑10”).
• Two references with contact information (upload to Candidate Profile).
• Combine all materials into a single PDF named “” (maximum 10 MB).

Employees work indoors and may be required to sit for prolonged periods, perform repetitive hand motions, and conduct field work involving up to 50 lb lifts. Appropriate safety precautions and protective equipment are required. Employees must have sufficient knowledge to perform the duties and may require assistance or equipment as needed.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. The university provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.