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Assistant Researcher

Job #JPF10441
  • ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC SCIENCES / L&S Physical Sciences / UCLA

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Researcher
Salary range: The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at
appointment. See Table: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t13-b.pdf
Review timeline: Open until filled

Application Window

Open date: June 27, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Jun 27, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Monday, Jul 28, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Assistant Researcher Position in Machine Learning and Climate

The UCLA Center for Climate Science is searching broadly for a talented Assistant Researcher scholar to work with Professor Alex Hall and his research group, contributing to research that utilizes machine learning methods to better understand local to global climate variability and change. The term would initially be for two years, but is renewable for at least one additional year, contingent on funding and satisfactory progress. The Assistant Researcher will have freedom to pursue projects of mutual benefit and will generally employ various explainable AI/ML techniques to address questions related to shifts in average climate conditions and the frequency of extreme weather events. Data sources include observations, global climate model output, and dynamically downscaled data at the regional scale across the United States. (The group has generated an unprecedented trove of multi-model regional high resolution future climate change projections.) These methodologies will be utilized to enhance the transparency and interpretability of predictive models dealing with complex climate data. Possible research areas include detection and attribution of hydroclimate signals, enlargement of high resolution regional ensembles through AI-based downscaling, building frameworks for reducing uncertainty in climate model projections, isolating the role that different climate forcings (e.g. aerosols) exert on recent trends, and improving predictability of hydroclimate change on annual to decadal timescales.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Atmospheric/Climate Sciences, Computer/Data Science, or a related field. Experience using both climate models and a variety of machine learning packages (e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn). Coursework or publications specific to climate research is preferred. The successful applicant will demonstrate independence in research, exceptional problem-solving skills, strong verbal and/or written communication, and the ability/desire to work effectively in a team. Strong programming skills (Python preferred) with emphasis on open-source, version control best-practices, documentation, and collaborative projects are expected. Lastly, candidates with experience using Linuxbased high-performance computing clusters are preferred as this position will benefit from the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputer Center which houses a 20 PFLOP CPU+GPU-capable machine.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Reference check authorization release form - Complete and upload the reference check authorization release form

  • UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of the state of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

    The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

    Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
    Expand our reach as a global university
    Enhance our research and creative activities
    Elevate how we teach
    Become a more effective institution

    Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

    Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Reference requirements
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)

PI will contact references

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10441

Help contact: tle@jifresse.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA