Postdoctoral Fellow in Geological Hydrogen and Helium Exploration

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow in Geological Hydrogen and Helium Exploration

----

Hiring Department:

John A and Katherine G Jackson School of Geosciences

----

Position Open To:

All Applicants

----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

----

FLSA Status:

Exempt

----

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Sep 29, 2025

----

Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

----

Job Details:

General Notes

This position will support the research activities for a BEG-led geological hydrogen and helium exploration project. This is for an in-person position at J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin and will require extensive fieldwork.

Purpose

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to fill a postdoctoral fellow position at the Bureau of Economic Geology to assist with field experimental design and measurements focusing on detecting geological hydrogen and helium across Texas. The successful candidate will conduct field experiments that will answer fundamental questions about geological hydrogen and helium production from a variety of geological provinces that include identifying sources, migration pathways, reservoirs, and surface expression, as well as developing a framework for quantifying geological hydrogen and helium potential across Texas and proxy locations. This will include using a variety of in situ and remote sensing datasets.

The postdoctoral fellow will be joining a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and will be responsible for the designing, implementation, and interpretation of field experiments/surveys and remote sensing data. The position requires experience including in gas retrievals, geophysics, field measurements, subsurface characterization, and petrology.

Responsibilities

• Research and development of hydrogen and helium gas retrieval algorithms to characterize emissions from the subsurface.

• Develop field experiments to explore potential for geological hydrogen and helium exploration across Texas. This will involve code development/automation, field deployment, data collection and processing, and analysis and visualization of results.

• Publish quality research results in peer-reviewed publications.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in geophysics, geology, or related field. Degree must have been earned within the last 3 years from date of hire. Strong understanding of subsurface geology and gas retrievals, including hydrogen and helium, using a variety of in situ and remote sensing datasets. Demonstrate experience of geophysical analysis, field exploration, and instrument development is desirable. Ability to develop code/algorithms in Python or similar platforms. Excellent data analytical skills. Demonstrated report writing and publication skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and professional demeanor. Ability to work both independently and effectively in a large group. Ability to work collaboratively with multiple disciplines and experts, including geologists, geophysicists, engineers, and economists.

Degree must have been obtained within 3 years of date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Some experience working in igneous and metamorphic petrogeology. Capacity to develop machine learning algorithms to increase analytical efficiency. Knowledge of gas geochemistry, subsurface characterization, and petrophysics is a bonus. Relevant peer-reviewed publications and conferences papers. Experience with writing professional-level codes as well as software for potential end users.

Salary Range

$65,000+ depending on qualifications.

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)

• May work in all weather conditions

• May work in extreme temperatures

• May work around standard office conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Use of manual dexterity

• Lifting and moving

• Occasional weekend, overtime, and evening work to meet deadlines

• Occasional fieldwork as necessary

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information

• Letter of interest

----

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.