Job Title
Postdoctoral Scholar - Earth and Environmental Sciences
Commitment to On-Campus Experience
Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range
$63,500 - $70,000
Pay Determination
Salary offers at Syracuse University will be based on education, experience, and relevant skills, as well as the academic or professional discipline of the position in the context of the home department, school, or college. Salary offers may also be influenced by prior relevant work or industry experience, where applicable. Faculty pay ranges are for 8.5 months’ salary unless otherwise specified.
Hours
As determined by supervisor.
Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable
Job Description
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Syracuse University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position in quantitative structural geology and deformation processes. The successful candidate will join a growing research program focused on deformation, fluid pathways, and landscape evolution in the upper crust, and will play a central role in establishing a new experimental deformation laboratory.
Research in the group investigates fault-system evolution, deformation partitioning, and structural controls on fluid flow and mineralization through the integration of analogue modeling, remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and computational methods. Research applications include critical mineral systems, geologic hazards, and Earth-surface processes.
The successful candidate will contribute to projects spanning laboratory experiments, digital image correlation, remote sensing, and quantitative analysis of natural deformation systems, while helping to shape the future direction of a growing research group.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. in geoscience, geology, geophysics, geomorphology, engineering, remote sensing, Earth system science, or a closely related discipline by the anticipated start date
- Demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis of geospatial, experimental, image-based, or Earth science datasets.
- Strong quantitative, programming, and data analysis skills.
- Experience developing reproducible computational workflows.
- Evidence of scientific communication through publications, presentations, reports, software, datasets, or related scholarly products.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
Job Specific Qualifications
Preferred qualifications include experience or interest in one or more of the following:
- Structural geology, tectonics, geomechanics, geomorphology, Earth-surface processes, or related Earth science disciplines.
- Experimental geoscience, laboratory-based research, analogue modeling, rock mechanics, or instrumentation.
- Image processing, computer vision, digital image correlation, photogrammetry, or quantitative analysis of large image-based datasets.
- Remote sensing, geospatial analysis, deformation monitoring, Earth observation, or related spatial datasets.
- Fault systems, distributed deformation, landscape evolution, fluid pathways, mineralization, or related crustal processes.
- Scientific programming in Python, R, MATLAB, or similar languages.
- Experience integrating diverse datasets, including field observations, laboratory measurements, remote-sensing products, geospatial data, or numerical model outputs.
- Experience developing quantitative, transferable, and process-based approaches to Earth science problems.
- Development of reproducible computational workflows using version control, notebooks, open-science tools, or high-performance computing resources.
- Experience mentoring students or collaborating within interdisciplinary research teams.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:
- Conducting independent and collaborative research in structural geology, tectonics, and geomechanics.
- Designing, conducting, and analyzing analogue modeling experiments.
- Developing workflows for processing and analyzing large image-based, experimental, and geospatial datasets.
- Writing and modifying scientific software, primarily in Python, for data processing, visualization, and quantitative analysis.
- Assisting with laboratory development, instrumentation, and experimental workflows.
- Publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at scientific conferences.
- Assisting with mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.
Physical Requirements
N/A
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach:
- Curriculum vitae
- Cover letter describing research interests, relevant experience, and fit for the position
- Contact information for 3 professional references
- One representative publication, writing sample, software repository, or data-analysis product
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
