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Assistant Project Scientist
Position overview
Position title: Assistant Project Scientist- FYThe posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 37B- Represented Project (e.g., Scientist) Series- FY. The salary range for this position is $76,700 - $89,000.
Application Window
Open date: June 12, 2026
Next review date: Sunday, Jul 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, Jul 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position description
The UCLA Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS) invites applications for a position of Assistant Project Scientist whose research will focus on combining micrometeorological and remote sensing observations with numerical simulations to investigate spatio-temporal patters of evapotranspiration in agricultural and wetland ecosystems. The research includes the following activities:
• Evaluating the impacts of surface heterogeneity on land-surface interactions
• Designing, performing, and analyzing numerical simulations of turbulence and scalar transport in the atmospheric boundary layer
• Understanding how varying biological and biophysical conditions impact energy and trace gas exchanges
• Processing raw high-frequency data from eddy-covariance measurements to generate analysis-ready data sets
• Compiling relevant remote sensing data from thermal infrared observations and existing products such as OpenET
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students
• Preparing and submitting manuscripts to relevant journals in the field
• Participating in conferences and workshops
• Preparing technical reports for state agencies and stakeholders
• Developing proposals to raise extramural funding
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application):
• Appointee must possess a recent doctorate degree, in the field of engineering, environmental/earth/atmospheric science, or related disciplines
• Having a minimum of 1 to 2 years of postdoctoral training
• Previous training and experience in micrometeorology, eddy covariance, and satellite remote sensing
• Extensive knowledge and expertise in earth-atmosphere interactions and hydrology
• Proven ability to write proposals and raise extramural funding
• Experience mentoring students
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter (Optional)
Statement of Research
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 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 institutionPrompt 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
Statement of Teaching (Optional)
Final/proposed candidates may be asked to name references, but the references will not be asked to provide letters unless the hiring department requests them
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.
- “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.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment