- Job Posting Title: Postdoctoral Fellow in Seismic Monitoring for Groundwater Systems
- Hiring Department: Bureau of Economic Geology
- Position Open To: All Applicants
- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
- FLSA Status: Exempt
- Earliest Start Date: Jan 12, 2026
- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Jan 11, 2027
- Location: PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS
Job Details:
General Notes
This position is located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. Duration is for 1 year, with the possibility of a 1 year extension depending on performance and project funding.
Purpose
The purpose of this position is to advance sensitive groundwater seismic monitoring using telecommunication DAS fiber as the primary sensing system, complemented by broadband seismic stations, with emphasis on time-lapse interferometry and linking seismic responses to groundwater flow and well observations.
Responsibilities
- Research and development of seismic monitoring methods using telecommunication DAS fiber as the primary sensing system, complemented by broadband seismic stations, with emphasis on time-lapse analysis and interferometry for groundwater systems.
- Modeling and interpretation of seismic and DAS observations using synthetic simulations and groundwater flow models, and closing the loop with monitoring-well and hydrologic observations.
- Processing, quality control, and time-lapse analysis of continuous seismic and DAS datasets.
- Writing and publishing research.
- Mentoring and collaboration.
- Coordination with project partners and sponsors.
- Support for field activities and instrumentation logistics.
Required Qualifications
PhD in Geophysics, Seismology, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience with seismic interferometry (ambient-noise and/or coda-wave), DAS, and time-lapse seismic monitoring. Extensive publication and presentation record. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.
Degree must have been received within 3 years of hire
Preferred Qualifications
Strong background in seismic interferometry, including coda-wave interferometry applied primarily to broadband seismic data, with experience extending interferometric concepts to DAS. Experience processing large continuous datasets using high-performance computing environments. Familiarity with numerical or synthetic simulations and integration of seismic observations with subsurface flow or reservoir models, including closing the loop with monitoring data. Experience working in interdisciplinary teams and coordinating closely with collaborators, sponsors, or operational partners. Prior applied research experience with DAS-based monitoring or subsurface sensing applications is a plus.
Salary Range
$65,000
Working Conditions
- May work around standard office conditions
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
- Use of manual dexterity
- Climbing of stairs
- Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines
- Occasional travel intrastate, interstate, international
- Occasional fieldwork as necessary
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information
- 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.
