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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 position is a lead position of the data acquisition, monitoring and quality team.
Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: October 2, 2026 - Open Until Filled
Responsibilities 20% Plans, designs, integrates, develops, tests, deploys, configures, operates, maintains and documents advanced geophysical (e.g. seismic, geodetic, DAS) data acquisition and quality systems including in cloud and containerized environments. Addresses integration issues with other state and national partners. Locally develops software components and sub-components to achieve fully integrated implementation. Builds and maintains distributed data-processing architectures in containerized and scalable cloud environments. Leads complex integration efforts with statewide and national partners to ensure interoperability and reliable real-time data flow.
20% Plans, designs, integrates, develops, tests, deploys, configures, operates, maintains and documents advanced state-of-health monitoring and alerting tools across multiple systems. Actively uses these tools to monitor in real time the performance of these systems including the geophysical stations, telemetry infrastructure, acquisition systems (from internal and external networks) as well as data timeliness, completeness, and quality. Implements corrective actions, when necessary, including equipment configuration roll-out, software/firmware upgrades, calibrations, instrument adjustments, with the overarching goal of sustaining very high levels of timely data availability and quality. Opens and follows up on tickets when facing issues that cannot be solved within the team. Drafts performance/operational reports for internal and external stakeholders.
20% Manages and maintains configuration of all geophysical stations, data and metadata through tools such as the ANSS Station Information System (SIS), Netbox and NextCloud. Thoroughly test new data before addition to production. Leads and participates in technical collaboration teams and working groups on geophysical data acquisition, monitoring, testing and quality. Renew permits and associated documents related to remote infrastructures and secure new ones, when necessary. Supervise the testing and acceptance of new equipment before deployment at remote stations.
20% Leads team responsible for geophysical data acquisition, monitoring and quality systems, including definition of roles and responsibilities, technical guidance, ensuring that timelines are met and performance assessments. Collaborates with external partners (e.g., state and federal seismic networks) to ensure technical compatibility and operational readiness. Produces and maintains detailed documentation for systems architecture, data flows, integration points, configuration, and operational procedures. Contributes subject-matter expertise to cross-functional engineering and research teams.
10% Analyses and assesses of potential new solutions for data acquisition, data quality, state-of-health monitoring and alerting, including machine-learning-based components. Identifies, evaluates, recommends and leads implementation changes to existing systems, or new systems needed, research and coordinate with internal and external partners to identify solutions.
10% Supervise management of source code and system configuration within the team. Put in place CICD infrastructures including build environment, source code control system and testing framework. Development and maintenance of an automated build process with automatic notification of build and unit test failure problems to responsible staff. Oversees/participates in building scripts, documentation and installation procedures for all software /systems the team is responsible for. Diagnoses performance anomalies and conduct root-cause analysis across interconnected components.
Required Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in geophysics /computer science and / or equivalent experience.
- Advanced knowledge on the design, development, testing, deployment, configuration, operation and maintenance of complex geophysical data acquisition, monitoring and quality systems.
- Knowledge of geophysical data and metadata formats, acquisition and data exchange protocols.
- Knowledge and experience with state-of-health monitoring tools, alerting solutions, including Nagios, Grafana and timeseries databases.
- Experience with containerized and cloud environments.
- Experience with complex system troubleshooting in a multi-platform environment.
- Demonstrated ability to understand functional needs of the organization and how systems can support those needs.
- Demonstrated ability to interface with senior level technical and non-technical management on a regular basis.
- Experience researching and evaluating new technology and solutions.
- Experience managing a small technical team.
Preferred Qualifications - Knowledge of Python and C++ desirable.
- Knowledge of IP networking and IP routing desirable.
- Ph.D. in Geophysics, Computer Science or related field.
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 $118,013.76 to $150,000 yearly ($9,834.48 to $12,500.00 monthly). This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt and paid monthly.
Other Information This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Technical Unit (TX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE).
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct Disclosure As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
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