Washington University in St. Louis

I am seeking candidates for an NSF-funded postdoctoral position in the Experimental Studies of Planetary Materials group at Washington University in St. Louis (espm.wustl.edu). Our lab investigates the rheology and physical properties of Earth and planetary materials through laboratory experiments and microstructural analysis. Broadly, we seek to understand the dynamics of Earth’s interior and other planetary bodies, with particular emphasis on the processes that govern plate tectonics, lithosphere dynamics, mantle convection, and deformation across multiple scales. The funded project will explore compositional controls on shear localization and the initiation of plate tectonics in planetary lithospheres. In addition, there are opportunities to pursue research topics with a more planetary, geological, or materials-science focus.

I am eager to work with scholars from a variety of backgrounds, including those with limited experimental experience. This postdoc would be a great opportunity for someone with a recent PhD in structural geology or planetary geology, who would like to diversify their skill set before entering the faculty job market.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with any students or colleagues who may be interested. I can be reached at pskemer@wustl.edu.

A message to international candidates: I want to acknowledge that you may have reservations about coming to the U.S., given the political climate in our country. While I can’t control national policies, I can say that our department—and my lab in particular—is international, welcoming, and committed to fostering a supportive, respectful environment. Our team includes students and collaborators from a wide range of backgrounds, and I can promise that you would feel comfortable at Washington University and in St. Louis more broadly.