Job Posting Title:

JSG Institutional Postdoctoral Fellow

----

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 Aug 31, 2027

----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

----

Job Details:

General Notes

The Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin invites applications for two separate postdoctoral fellowship programs. These highly competitive institutional awards are open to recent doctorates (degree within the past 5 years) in Earth, atmospheric, oceanic, cryospheric and planetary sciences or allied fields. Appointments are for two years, contingent upon performance. Recipients of this fellowship will join a vibrant community of postdocs, students and faculty where they are expected to pursue self-directed research in any scientific subfield. The two separate, but complementary programs are: 

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) Excellence in Earth & Planetary Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship

EPS is the academic unit of the Jackson School, and hosts researchers in a broad array of fields in the Earth and planetary sciences (https://eps.jsg.utexas.edu/research/). Applicants are evaluated based on their past research contributions and how the proposed work complements or expands ongoing research within EPS. We are also interested in candidates who are dedicated to improving their professional environment through contributive service (e.g., organizing a successful conference workshop, running a reading seminar for graduate students, participating in graduate student governance). 

University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship

UTIG is a research unit of the Jackson School known for research excellence, integrative science efforts, and international field programs in geophysics (solid earth, marine, polar), climate science, planetary science, and energy geoscience (ig.utexas.edu/research/). Applicants are evaluated on how the proposed work complements or expands ongoing research at UTIG and their scientific leadership potential (e.g. organizing sessions at meetings, contributions to team science or white papers). Examples of past fellowship recipients can be found at ig.utexas.edu/about/institutional-postdoctoral-research-fellows/. 

Applications must contain:  

1) Cover Letter (1 page) describing the applicant’s research interests and past work, and addressing how they meet the criteria of the specific position(s) (see above); clearly indicate if interested in being considered for EPS, UTIG or both postings 2) a Curriculum Vitae that includes education, employment history, publications (including dois), and record of any extramural funding; 3) a two-page research proposal (including figures, excluding references) stating research interests and specific plans for their fellowship; and 4) names and contact information for three individuals willing to write letters of reference. 

Collaboration and mentorship are vital aspects of this position, and applicants must identify potential mentors and research groups within UTIG and/or EPS with whom they intend to work. We strongly encourage applicants to connect with these researchers prior to application to explore potential collaborative areas. In their research proposal, applicants should clearly identify the specific researchers with whom they plan to collaborate (including identifying which unit those researchers are in, UTIG or EPS) and address how their research will complement, expand, and/or benefit from ongoing work within that group(s). Cross-unit collaboration is encouraged at the Jackson School, and applicants that identify prospective mentors in both UTIG and EPS should clearly indicate as such, in which case they will be considered for both programs.

Successful applicants may take up residence as early as May 1, 2025.  Salary is $72,000 per year and appointees are eligible for benefits; the appointment also comes with discretionary funds of $5,000 for research and travel expenses, as well as one-time relocation expenses of up to $3,000. 

For full consideration, applications must be received by January 15, 2025. We anticipate that decisions will be made and communicated with candidates by mid-March, 2025.

Purpose

To conduct independent research in Earth, atmospheric, oceanic, cryospheric and planetary sciences or allied fields.

Responsibilities

Conduct independent research in any field Sciences that aligns with or expands upon existing research initiatives in the host unit (EPS and/or UTIG).

Collaboration and mentorship are vital aspects of this position, and applicants must identify potential mentors and research groups within the department

Organize successful conference workshops, run a reading seminar for graduate students, organize a departmental colloquium, or participate in graduate student governance.

Required Qualifications

PhD in a relevant field (Earth, marine, and planetary sciences or allied disciplines), must have been received within three years from the start date of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to perform independent research as well as collaborate effectively. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Salary Range

$72,000

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions and in laboratories;

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Use of manual dexterity.

Climbing of stairs and walking between buildings inside UT Austin campus.

Lifting and moving.

Required Materials

Cover Letter (1 page) describing the applicant’s research interests and past work, and addressing how they meet the criteria of the specific position(s) (see above); clearly indicate if interested in being considered for EPS, UTIG or both postings

Curriculum Vitae that includes education, employment history, publications (including dois), and record of any extramural funding

A two-page research proposal (including figures, excluding references) stating research interests and specific plans for their fellowship

Names and contact information for three individuals willing to write letters of reference

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.

----

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.

----

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.

----

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

----

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.

----

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.

----

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.

----

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) [PDF]E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

----

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.