Geophysics Senior Research Fellow

Impact of the Role

This position plays a critical role in advancing subsurface imaging technologies and enabling improved understanding of complex environmental and geologic processes. Research outcomes will directly support strategic priorities in environmental stewardship, legacy waste management, resource characterization, and sustainable infrastructure development.

Responsibilities

• Lead original research that advances methodologies, data processing techniques, and interpretive frameworks for ERT and SIP.
• Design, plan, and execute field investigations leveraging multi-electrode resistivity and induced polarization systems.
• Develop and implement forward and inverse modeling workflows to quantify subsurface properties and improve uncertainty characterization.
• Integrate ERT/SIP data with complementary geoscience, hydrological, and environmental datasets to support multi-physics interpretation.
• Publish high-impact research in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.
• Provide mentorship to postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and technical staff working in geophysical methods.
• Engage with project sponsors, collaborators, and stakeholders to scope research needs, translate findings, and support decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of proposals and competitive research funding opportunities.
• Ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of field operations, data management, and geophysical instrumentation maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Geophysics, Earth Sciences, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• 20+ years of experience in federal R&D, industry, and national laboratory settings, with a focus on near-surface geophysical methods, with an emphasis on Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP).
• Proven leadership in developing and managing large-scale, multidisciplinary research programs.
• Demonstrated success in securing external funding through DOE competitive calls, broad agency announcements, and federal-industry partnerships.
• For ability to obtain and maintain a DOE "Q" security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required.
• Extensive experience designing, conducting, and interpreting ERT and SIP surveys in research or applied settings.
• Demonstrated expertise in geophysical inversion, numerical modeling, and advanced data processing.
• Strong publication record showcasing contributions to near-surface or environmental geophysics.
• Proficiency with widely used geophysical software platforms and scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R).
• Demonstrated ability to lead research teams and collaborate across disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying ERT and SIP to environmental remediation, groundwater characterization, vadose-zone processes, or geotechnical investigations.
• Experience with 3D inversion, time-lapse monitoring, or multi-method geophysical integration.
• Familiarity with machine learning or data assimilation techniques applied to geophysical datasets.
• Track record of securing external research funding.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, particularly with government agencies, laboratories, or industry partners.

About Us

"We put science to work!" Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation's environmental, energy, and national security challenges.

Benefits

• Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options including HSA options with company provided seed
• Short- & Long-Term Disability (company paid)
• Life Insurance Non-Contributary 1X salary (company paid)
• AD&D Non-contributary 1x salary (company paid)
• Savings & Investment plan: Qualified Non-Elective Company Contribution of 5% each pay period with immediate vesting
• Company match 50 cents/dollar up to 8% (5 yrs. vesting in company match)
• Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x Salary with $1M Cap
• Contributory AD&D (employee, spouse and children)
• Paid Time Off
• Employee Assistance Plan
• SRNL offers a competitive relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.