Cross-Cutting Theme—Computational Geosciences

As part of its overall effort to hire 30-35 new researchers and faculty members, the Jackson School seeks outstanding scientists (as faculty members or research scientists) working in the area of Computational Geosciences, which cuts across several of the school's core thematic areas. As in all of our new hires, we seek outstanding scientists at the forefront of their disciplines who are attracted to challenging areas of scholarship that require collaboration across disciplines and programs.

Candidates interested in consideration under this cross-cutting theme should apply to one of the four main thematic areas while highlighting their interest in and qualifications for work in the area of Computational Geosciences.

The excerpt below from the school's strategic plan explains our vision for expanding the school's emphasis.

Excerpt from JSG strategic plan:
"Emerging Theme—Computational Geosciences"

Modeling and simulation offer tremendous opportunities for improving our understanding of the Earth system, addressing geoscience grand challenges, and providing decision-support tools for geoscience policy-makers and industry. The theme of computer modeling cuts across the four major research foci described in this document. These and other challenging problems in the geosciences are characterized by complex, large-scale nonlinear models that couple multiple physical, chemical, and biological processes over a wide range of length and time scales.

These models are usually too complex to be solved analytically, and their solution requires advanced numerical algorithms running on high-performance computers. The increasing importance of computation as a powerful tool for prediction and decision-making in the geosciences is driven by advances in three areas: the rapid expansion of our ability to instrument and observe the Earth; sustained improvements in computational models and solution methods for complex geoscience systems; and the relentless growth in computing power.

Today, large-scale simulations of the dynamics of earthquakes, crustal evolution, climate change, subsurface flows, and mantle convection, to name a few, are routinely carried out with increasing fidelity. Improved observational capabilities lead to better characterization of uncertainties in these models, which in turn drive enhancements in observational capabilities.

A central challenge in computational geosciences is the systematic assimilation of observational data into large-scale simulations to identify and address model uncertainties. The Jackson School has been a leader in the development of inverse methods for data assimilation and their application to such areas as seismology and climate modeling. The computational geosciences cross-cutting theme will energize research at the interfaces of modeling and data.

Another challenge in computational geosciences is its inherent interdisciplinarity. Tackling the big problems requires expertise in geosciences, applied mathematics, and computer science, among other areas. The Jackson School must broaden its collaborations with leading programs in these areas on campus. In particular, excellent opportunities exist to partner with the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES), perhaps the leading institute in the world for computational mathematics and scientific computing, and the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), home (as of Fall 2007) of the world’s most powerful supercomputer. The close proximity of Jackson School buildings with ICES and TACC will facilitate partnerships.

To apply under this cross-cutting theme, follow instructions for applying under one of the four main thematic areas and highlight your interest in and qualifications for work in Computational Geosciences.

The University of Texas at Austin is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.