Postdoctoral Fellow-College of Sciences, Earth & Planetary Sciences

Postdoctoral Fellow-College of Sciences, Earth & Planetary Sciences

Location: San Antonio, TX
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 15220
Full/Part Time: Full Time

Position Information

Postdoctoral Fellow

The University of Texas at San Antonio invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the College of Sciences.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has also been recognized as a Top Employer in Texas by Forbes Magazine. Learn more online, on UT San Antonio Today or on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or LinkedIn.

College of Sciences

The College of Sciences (COS) at UT San Antonio is dedicated to innovation and excellence in both the classroom and the laboratory, preparing the next generation of well-educated, highly trained professionals and leaders.

COS offers 16 undergraduate and 14 graduate degree programs across the life and physical sciences. More than 280 faculty in seven academic departments support these programs, making COS the fourth-largest college at UT San Antonio. In Fall 2025, enrollment exceeded 4,300 undergraduates and 430 graduate and post-baccalaureate students. Additionally, our Biology Health and the Environment, Chemistry, Mathematics, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy departments play a foundational role in the university's academic mission by providing core and prerequisite courses that support students across nearly every discipline.

A major contributor to UT San Antonio's Carnegie R1 status, COS drives discovery and tackles real-world challenges with approximately $40 million in annual research expenditures and nearly 200 active projects. Research strengths span biomedical and health innovation, molecular, chemical and materials discovery, fundamental and applied physical sciences, earth, environmental and planetary systems, mathematical, computational and data sciences, and STEM education and workforce development.

COS collaborates with several leading research centers and institutes, including the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Brain Health Consortium, Matrix AI, the Center for Innovative Drug Discovery, the Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy, and the Center for Space Technology and Operations Research. These collaborations foster interdisciplinary research that addresses some of today's most pressing scientific challenges.

Our faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research and scholarship. They have received grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and more. The college is home to 19 endowed chairs and professorships, demonstrating our commitment to academic excellence and research innovation. Faculty distinction is further reflected in prestigious honors such as NSF CAREER awards, AAAS Fellowships, membership in the National Academy of Inventors, and leadership roles in professional societies worldwide.

Student success is central to COS. Faculty members have earned the University of Texas Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, and the COS Student Success Center, founded in 2020, serves as a hub for mentoring, professional development, and community-building. COS students are recognized nationally, with recent recipients of Barry Goldwater Scholarships and NSF Graduate Research Fellowships.

UT San Antonio is proud to work with the Cibolo Preserve, a 500+ acre, non-profit natural habitat laboratory located east of Boerne, to allow faculty and their students to use the ground for research purposes in science and environmental studies including, but not limited to geology, plant life, water, birds and animals. Learn more at the UT San Antonio Office for Research and Innovation Internal Funding opportunities website.

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) in the College of Sciences at the University of Texas at San Antonio houses the programs for the BS in Geosciences, MS in Geosciences, MS in Geoinformatics, PhD in Environmental Science and Engineering [under KCEID], Certificate in Geographic Information Science at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Salary Range: $65,000 annualized.

Job Type: Full Time

Position Summary

The Early Earth Laboratory (EEL) at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) invites applications for a two-year full-time Postdoctoral Fellow position in planetary science beginning in Fall 2026. This position is supported by PI funds. The EEL focuses on the physical and chemical evolution of planetary bodies and conditions of planetary system formation. The lab integrates quantitative modeling, geochemical analysis, and experimental approaches to address fundamental questions about early Solar System and planetary system evolution.

Essential Functions
The postdoctoral fellow will have a central role in developing and leading scientifically rigorous research projects. The successful candidate will lead and co-develop collaborative research efforts in cosmochemistry, early Earth geochemistry, and/or planetary systems modeling, within the broader research program of EEL. The position emphasizes intellectual ownership, technical depth, and close scientific collaboration, and is well-suited for candidates seeking to establish an independent research trajectory while contributing to the development of a growing research group.

Qualifications

• PhD in planetary science, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geochemistry, or a related field by the start date.
• A record of developing independent scholarly products as demonstrated by papers published in peer-reviewed journals, with particular emphasis on planetary materials, cosmochemistry, geochemistry, mineralogy, planetary science, or a related field.
• A clear record of strong quantitative and analytical skills, with expertise in scientific programming, numerical modeling, or other quantitative analysis. Of particular value is experience with specialized datasets such as synchrotron or telescope/spacecraft data, or experience working across multiple technical approaches.
• The ability to work both independently and as an effective member of a collaborative research team.
• The ability to convey research ideas to a broad audience, both in writing and through oral presentations.
• Travel connected with official duties may be required. This may include attendance at night and/or weekend meetings as required by the research project under the guidance of the PI.
• This position requires the ability to maintain the security and integrity of UT San Antonio and its infrastructure.

   

   

Application Process

To apply, applicants must upload the following:

• Cover letter
• Current curriculum vitae (CV)
• Statement of research experience and goals
• Complete contact information for 3 professional references

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Dr. Elizabeth Bailey (email: Elizabeth.Bailey2@utsa.edu) with whom the postdoctoral research will be conducted. Full consideration will be given to applications received by April 30, 2026; however, the positions will remain open until filled. At the discretion of the hiring department, this posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Additional information about the Department may be found at https://sciences.utsa.edu/eps/.

This position will work primarily on campus. Travel and parking expenses are the employee's responsibility.

This position is contingent upon a successful background check. Verification of a valid driver's license and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) may be completed as applicable. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the Affirmative Action Program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination.

To view the full job posting and apply for this position, go to https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psp/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE/UTZ_CG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=21&JobOpeningId=15220&PostingSeq=1






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