Research scientist - Seismology
About ERP
ERP is a research-focused not-for-profit organisation which started in November 2023 in London, UK. We have approximately 15 researchers located in the UK, Kenya, Colombia, Germany, Italy, and France. The research team is comprised of experts in seismology, geophysics, soil science, geophysical modelling, machine learning and AI, sensor and software engineering. This team is supported by an Executive Assistant and a Director of Operations, and governed by a Board. ERP’s purpose is to improve our knowledge of soil, enhancing scientific understanding and enabling farmers to improve soil health and crop production while reducing environmental impacts. We have imaged soils below-ground, improving our understanding of their properties on sites around the world; some manuscripts are published, with further output on the way. This is a major initiative that was recently launched publicly with a global webinar and report, supported by Bezos Earth Fund, UBS Optimus fund and other foundations. Our approach has the potential to help address one of humanity’s most urgent challenges: feeding the world without exceeding environmental limits.
ERP was co-founded by Directors Tarje Nissen-Meyer, Professor in Environmental Intelligence at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Exeter; Simon Jeffery, Professor in Soil Ecology at Harper Adams University; George Monbiot, author of Regenesis and Honorary Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford; and Katie Bradford, Operations Specialist working with climate organisations. The Directors are seeking further funding for the long-term, with the goal of creating innovations for sustainable high-yield agriculture with a particular focus on smallholder farmers anywhere, resilient food systems, soil science, tech innovation, and soil monitoring as a key solution to addressing the climate crisis and food system stability, while working with and empowering farmers with cheap and novel insight into their soils. We celebrate diversity - in soil ecosystems as much as in our team - as a moral obligation and proven source of increased collective intelligence, resilience, and varied perspectives in a space of high complexity.
The opportunity
We seek a highly motivated seismologist (post-PhD) with expertise in inverse methods, uncertainty quantification and machine learning to join ERP.
Role Responsibilities
Working at the heart of ERP’s seismology team, and with AI, geophysics and modelling experts, this position entails further development for ERP’s seismic analysis. It also includes collaborating on multimodal data ingestion, machine learning, seismic inference with uncertainty quantification, as well as producing outputs (publications, presentations, work updates, and conference attendance), all in collaboration with other team members. In-person meetings are crucial to maintain our excellent team spirit; it is expected that the candidate attends at least one such meeting quarterly, mostly in the UK/ Europe. We offer competitive salaries with flexible arrangements (location, full-/part-time) for highly motivated, independent, creative and engaged individuals with a strong collaborative work ethic across disciplines and cultures. A strong passion for ERP”s overall mission is expected.
A prerequisite is evidence of independent research (PhD thesis, publications) in geophysics (field work, signal processing, open-source coding, inverse & UQ methods); or machine learning and data science (data ingestion/fusion, augmentation, inference, classification), and Python coding.
Place of work: ERP operates as a remote team with staff in Europe, Africa and South America. We have frequent in-person meetups, usually in the UK/Europe, and a diverse range of fieldwork around the world. The role can either be as a postdoctoral research associate in Prof Nissen-Meyer’s team at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Exeter, UK, or remotely. We are open to applications from candidates based anywhere, though flexibility may be required in core working hours to accommodate multiple time zones within the team, and attending meetings. ERP operates on the basis of minimising climate impact; the most ecologically sustainable available transportation options are always preferred, and frequent flying is not desirable.
Start date and duration: We expect to onboard the new role between January and April 2026, and offer a 1-year contract in line with the development of the first phase. This funding cycle finishes in early 2027, but we anticipate further expansion and longer-term funding, in which case an extension for the position will become available, subject to satisfactory work progress.
Outcomes: The involvement in this research-intensive environment is expected to lead to high-profile publications, high visibility, global collaborations across disciplines, with footing both in fundamental science and solution-oriented impact for public benefit. ERP recently launched into the public domain, and increasingly interacts with scientists, farmers, policy makers around the world. Willingness and skill to present complex matters in an accessible manner to these stakeholders is expected.
Support: Our research team members collaborate closely through weekly calls, and under the continuous guidance of science leads Prof Nissen-Meyer (seismology, AI), and Prof Jeffery (soil science). Support funds exist for work-related travel and equipment. We strive to maintain a vigorous, diverse, open, and inclusive environment with flat hierarchies and strong support on health and wellbeing. Remote work requires proactive communication, and regular worklife sits in between academic, non-profit, startup and industrial research, with distinct timelines for outcomes.
To Apply
We welcome applications from anywhere and anyone with relevant skills and backgrounds who is fully aligned with ERP’s overall mission, and feels they can positively contribute to and grow with the program.