Research Scientist

Job Description

The Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Research Scientist in geothermal energy and subsurface geomechanics, working under the supervision of Manoochehr Shirzaei.

The successful candidate will join a highly interdisciplinary and internationally engaged research team investigating the coupled physics of fluid injection, poromechanical deformation, and earthquake nucleation in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and other subsurface energy operations. Our research integrates geophysics, hydrology, and geomechanics to address fundamental and applied questions related to induced seismicity, reservoir sustainability, and the long-term reliability of geothermal energy as a critical component of future water-energy security.

The primary responsibility of the Research Scientist (~80% effort) will be to develop, implement, and apply advanced poromechanical fluid-diffusion and fault-failure models to better understand induced seismicity processes associated with geothermal stimulation and production. This work will be closely connected to observational constraints (e.g., seismicity catalogs, surface deformation, injection and production records) and is expected to lead to high-impact, peer-reviewed journal publications.

The Research Scientist will also contribute (~20% effort) to mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and participating in the development of competitive research proposals. The position offers substantial intellectual independence, opportunities to shape new research directions, and engagement with national and international partners working on next-generation geothermal energy and subsurface resilience challenges.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, physics, earth sciences (geophysics, geomechanics, or related disciplines), or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in poromechanical and hydro-mechanical modeling of subsurface systems, including fluid diffusion, stress evolution, and fault or fracture mechanics relevant to geothermal reservoirs and induced seismicity.
• Strong proficiency in scientific and technical programming, with experience in one or more of the following languages: MATLAB, Python, C++, or equivalent high-performance computing environments. Experience developing research-grade numerical codes, implementing custom solvers, or working with large datasets is expected.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with geospatial analysis and visualization tools (e.g., GIS platforms, spatial databases) for integrating seismic, geodetic, and subsurface datasets.
• Prior experience with numerical modeling of coupled subsurface processes, including fluid flow, deformation, and fault or fracture mechanics, particularly in geothermal or induced seismicity contexts.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration skills, including experience mentoring students, coordinating small research efforts, or contributing meaningfully to interdisciplinary teams.
• Evidence of effective scientific communication, including peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and proposal contributions, as well as the ability to clearly document and present complex modeling results.