Senior Geophysics Scientist

Savannah River National Laboratory • Aiken, SC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Scientist in Geophysics will lead advanced research and field programs focused on the development, application, and interpretation of near-surface geophysical methods, with an emphasis on Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP). The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, cultivate cross-disciplinary collaborations, and contribute innovative approaches for subsurface characterization in support of environmental, hydrological, engineering, and energy-related research initiatives. 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.

Requirements

• PhD in Geophysics, Earth Sciences, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance, for which U.S. Citizenship is legally required.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees