Postdoctoral Fellow in Seismic Monitoring for Groundwater Systems

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow in Seismic Monitoring for Groundwater Systems

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Hiring Department:

Bureau of Economic Geology

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Jan 12, 2026

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jan 11, 2027

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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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.

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