- Job Posting Title: Postdoctoral Research Scientist Associate – Environmental Science Institute (JSG)
- Hiring Department: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Position Open To: All Applicants
- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- Earliest Start Date: Immediately
- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Sep 30, 2026
- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS
Job Details:
Purpose
The Environmental Science Institute at UT Austin is seeking motivated and skilled individuals to support research on water science and paleoenvironments. The position involves conducting and supervising interdisciplinary scientific research related to geochemistry, water quality, paleoclimate, and urban hydrology. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing the group’s broader goals in understanding environmental change.
Responsibilities
- Conduct scientific research and support student-led research projects across interdisciplinary topics, with a focus on:
- Urban streams and impacts on water quality
- Karst systems and speleothems
- Tree ring environmental reconstructions
- Perform geoscience and geochemical investigations including the analysis radiogenic and stable isotopes, trace elements, and emerging contaminants in water, soil, rock, and trees.
- Develop and analyze proxy-based paleoenvironmental reconstructions.
- Contribute to research focused on surface water, aquifers, cave systems, climate variability, paleo-environments, and the resilience of water resources in urban and rural communities.
- Participate in field sampling and monitoring campaigns, laboratory-based geochemical analysis, and modeling research activities.
- Collaborate with laboratory managers, graduate and undergraduate students, and community members.
- Prepare and publish scientific papers to disseminate research findings.
- Identify grant opportunities and lead the development and submission of research proposals and budgets to federal, state, and nonprofit funding agencies.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in geosciences or related discipline, with a focus on geochemistry, hydrology, and paleoclimate.
- Proven experience in one of the following:
- conducting and interpreting analyses of natural waters and carbonate geochemistry, including radiogenic and/or stable isotope measurements.
- paleoclimate reconstruction and analysis using proxies from speleothems and/or trees.
- Strong scientific writing skills, as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
- Excellent communication and collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
PhD must have been obtained within 3 years from date of hire.
Preferred Qualifications
- A publication record in isotope geochemistry, urban hydrology, and/or paleoclimate.
- Research experience involving speleothems and cave systems, particularly in the context of reconstructing Late Pleistocene to Holocene climate variability.
- Research experience involving tree ring analysis in streamflow and drought reconstructions, including application of blue intensity analysis.
- Familiarity with hydrogeologic processes in urban environments and karst environments and their relevance to climate and water quality studies.
- Experience in advanced data analysis and quantitative methods, including Proxy System Modeling and time series analysis.
- Experience collaborating in interdisciplinary research settings and mentoring students on projects on water resources, paleoclimate, emerging contaminants, and/or sustainable urban systems.
- Participatory research experience
Driving Required
This job requires a class “C” operator’s driver’s license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident. Employees who are required to have a CDL are subject to drug and alcohol testing (pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing). Driving a UT and personal vehicle is an essential function of the position.
Salary Range
$65,000 – $75,000, depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- This position is primarily based in laboratory and office settings, with an emphasis on geochemical analysis, data interpretation, and manuscript preparation. The role involves extensive use of computers and scientific instrumentation for geochemical and isotopic analyses.
- Fieldwork will be required periodically, including visits to caves, springs, aquifers, streams, and other urban and rural environments. Field activities may involve multiday travel and working in confined spaces or rugged terrain (such as cave environments).
- The position may involve:
- Extended periods of time working at a computer or laboratory bench.
- Handling of geological, biological, and water samples, and operation of precision instruments and analytical equipment.
- Occasional lifting of materials or equipment (up to ~40 lbs).
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required for laboratory and field safety.
Required Materials
- Letter of interest
- CV/Resume
- 3 references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
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.
