The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) seeks to appoint a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow. This competitive institutional fellowship is open to recent PhD recipients conducting research in any area of earth and planetary sciences. Appointments are for two years, contingent upon satisfactory performance.
Prior to applying, prospective applicants are expected to identify and contact potential collaborators and mentors at UTIG to discuss research interests and explore opportunities for collaboration. Fellowship recipients will join a vibrant community of postdoctoral researchers, students, research scientists, and faculty and are expected to pursue self-directed research in any scientific subfield that aligns with or expands research directions at UTIG.
Successful applicants will be offered a benefits-eligible position with an annual salary of $72,000. The fellowship also provides $5,000 in discretionary funds for research and travel expenses, and up to $3,000 in one-time relocation expenses. Information for prospective UT employees can be found at https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective.
For full consideration, complete applications must be received by January 15, 2027. We anticipate that decisions will be communicated to candidates by mid-March 2027. Questions about the fellowship may be directed to Cornelia Rasmussen (crasmussen@utexas.edu).
Required Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field. The PhD must have been awarded within three years of the position start date. Applicants must also have at least one peer-reviewed publication.
Candidates will be evaluated based on their research qualifications, including prior research experience, conference participation, awards, proposal writing, publications, and community engagement; the creativity, independence, and feasibility of their proposed research project; and the potential of their research to expand and strengthen scientific directions at UTIG.
Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and collaborate effectively with others. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Required application materials:
- Cover letter (1 page) describing the applicant’s research interests and prior work and addressing how the applicant meets the criteria for the fellowship.
- Curriculum vitae including education, employment history, publications (including DOIs), record of extramural funding, if applicable, and community engagement activities.
- Research proposal (2 pages), including figures but excluding references, describing the applicant’s proposed research and specific plans for the fellowship.
- Names and contact information for three references willing to provide letters of recommendation.