"Computational & Data Science Research Specialist 3 (6104U) - Berkeley Seismological Lab"

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Berkeley Seismological Laboratory (BSL) conducts essential research on earthquakes and solid earth processes while collecting and delivering high quality geophysical data. It provides robust earthquake and hazard information including real-time alerts to the public, in collaboration with our partners. It also enables the broad consumption of earthquake information by everyone while educating and training students at all levels and from all backgrounds.

BSL operates a large network of seismic and geodetic stations as well as DAS systems across northern California. These stations/systems stream data in real time to our data center on Campus, where data is processed, analyzed and archived for the purposes of earthquake monitoring, earthquake early warning and scientific research. The BSL also operates the MyShake application, which provides earthquake early warning alerts to the public in the West Coast of the US. This is a position for the real-time data acquisition and processing of large geophysical datasets, including through machine learning algorithms and cloud processing.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: February 16, 2026 - Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

• 30% Plans, designs, integrates, develops, tests, deploys, configures, operates, maintains and documents complex High-Performance Computing (HPC) geophysical data acquisition and processing software including for the processing of seismic, geodetic, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), and citizen science data. Applies complex programming practices, including in containerized and scalable cloud environments.
• 20% Develops and maintains continuous integration and deployment (CICD) pipelines for the maintained software. This includes maintaining and updating the build environment, tests, configuration, documentation and automatic notification system of build and testing issues. This also includes the development of extensive unit, integration, functional and end-to-end tests.
• 20% Benchmarks, analyzes and tests current and future geophysical software, scientific codes, algorithms, and HPC related hardware and identifies potential uses for the organization. This includes new geophysical applications for the BSL (e.g. real-time monitoring of building infrastructures, faults, offshore regions, hydrothermal basins and carbon sequestration areas), new types of geophysical data (e.g. DAS, citizen science), and modern IT infrastructure and algorithms (e.g. cloud, CICD, machine-learning components). Troubleshoots complex machine-learning algorithms used for the processing of large amount of geophysical data.
• 10% Defines and documents usage modes, capabilities, characteristics and performance of the implemented real-time geophysical software. Publishes and presents results in scientific journals, conferences and workshops to expand the BSL's impact in the geophysical community and promote the latest technologies within this community.
• 10% Participates and contributes to new research proposals (e.g. real-time monitoring of building infrastructures, faults, offshore regions, hydrothermal basins and carbon sequestration areas) in collaboration with other researchers and Principal Investigator PIs at the BSL.
• 10% Understands and applies a) complex research and development practices (including related to ML algorithms, containerized and scalable cloud environments, GPU servers, etc.), b) geophysical standards for data and metadata and c) BSL policies and procedures relating to work assignments. Serve as technical lead for research and development projects at the BSL.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in geophysics or computer science (or equivalent experience/training).
• Knowledge of geophysical data processing software, including for the processing of seismic, geodetic, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), and citizen science data.
• Advanced skills, and demonstrated experience associated with implementation and deployment of HPC hardware and software.
• Advanced knowledge of geophysical data and metadata formats, including data collected from DAS and citizen science systems.
• Knowledge of containerized and scalable cloud environments.
• Knowledge of CICD infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to regularly interface with management.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute research and technical content to grant proposals.
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization and to external research and education audiences.
• Proven skills and experience in independently resolving broad computing / data problems.
• Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team. Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to successfully work on multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to collaborate effectively with all levels of staff; technical, students, faculty and administrators.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $101,600 to $140,000 yearly ($8,466.67 to $11,666.67 monthly); the full salary range for this title is $101,600 to $189,800 yearly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.