Postdoctoral Research Associate – Machine Learning & Geophysics, Rice University
Ian McBrearty
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Machine Learning & Geophysics
- Department: Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences (EEPS)
- Location: Rice University – Houston, TX
- Duration: 1 Year (Renewable up to 2–3 years)
Position Overview
The McBrearty Lab at Rice University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop data-driven techniques for earthquake monitoring and geophysical forecasting. Our research sits at the intersection of machine learning and physics, focusing on large seismic networks and neural-surrogate emulation of PDEs.
Key Responsibilities
- Model Development: Develop and deploy ML models (specifically graph neural networks) to process large, spatially irregular seismic datasets.
- Physical Modeling: Advance methods for efficient neural-surrogate emulation of PDEs governing tectonic and volcanic processes.
- Dissemination: Publish research in high-quality journals and present at major conferences (e.g., AGU, SSA, NeurIPS).
Qualifications
- Required: Ph.D. in Geophysics, Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Math, or a related quantitative field.
- Required: Strong Python skills and experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
- Preferred: Experience with Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) or physics-informed machine learning (PINNs).
- Preferred: Background in seismological software (e.g., ObsPy) and large-scale data processing.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and full Rice University benefits.
- Access to world-class high-performance computing (HPC) resources at Rice.
- Mentorship tailored to your career goals (academic or industry).
To Apply
Please submit a Cover Letter, CV, Research Statement (1–2 pages), and contact info for 3 references via the Rice University application portal.
Review of applications begins on September 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Informal inquiries can be sent to Ian McBrearty at im...@rice.edu.
Rice University is located in Houston, Texas, USA and is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian university that aspires to path-breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contributions to the betterment of our world. Rice fulfills this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor. Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.