MS and PhD positions in faulting and earthquake mechanics at Utah State University

Fully funded MS and PhD positions are available for Spring/Summer/Fall 2023 in the newly established Rock Deformation and Fault Mechanics laboratory in the Department of Geosciences at Utah State University. Successful candidate(s) will have the opportunity to work broadly on:

(a) Experimental studies of rock deformation and earthquake ruptures, and/or

(b) Numerical modeling of earthquake processes.

Depending on the interests of the successful candidate(s), there may also be opportunities to be involved in field-based research with expeditionary-scale research initiatives such as the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). 

Students with bachelor’s and/or master’s in the geosciences, engineering (geotechnical, geological, petroleum etc.) or physics with a strong quantitative background are encouraged to apply. Some prior experience with experimental rock mechanics, numerical modeling or machine learning techniques are desirable but not necessary. USU and the Department of Geosciences are committed to inclusivity, diversity, and antiracism. Students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the broad field of geosciences are especially encouraged to apply.

If interested, please contact Dr. Srisharan Shreedharan* (srisharan.shreedharan@usu.edu ), with your CV and a short statement of research interests. GRE scores are no longer required for admission to the graduate program. More information about the application process can be found here: https://www.usu.edu/geo/graduate-program/future-graduates

*Srisharan will be starting in Spring 2023 as an Assistant Professor of geomechanics and geophysics in the Department of Geosciences at Utah State University. Srisharan is broadly interested in faulting, friction and the mechanics of how earthquakes start, propagate and stop, particularly at shallow plate interfaces and in subsurface energy systems. Srisharan uses a combination of friction experiments, ultrasonic monitoring (pulse-echo and acoustic emissions), numerical modeling and machine learning techniques in his research to better understand faulting and friction at multiple scales. He is currently a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics. Srisharan earned his PhD in Geosciences at Penn State, and an MS in Geological Engineering from the University of Arizona.

More about USU

USU main campus is located in Logan, Utah, a city situated in a picturesque valley which offers numerous year-round outdoor activities including local ski resorts, climbing, biking, and hiking trails. Logan is just a short drive to Salt Lake City, as well as many National Parks, Monuments, and Conservation Areas. The Logan metropolitan area has been named the second-best performing small city in the United States by the 2021 Milken Institute Analysis. Additional information about Utah State University (https://www.usu.edu/ ) and the Department of Geosciences (https://www.usu.edu/geo/ ) can be found online.