Part-Time Project Scientist

Position overview

Position title: Project Scientist

Salary range: $107,700 - $201,900 The 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 $107,700 - $201,900. "Off-scale salaries", i.e. a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Review timeline: 05/01/26 - 05/31/2026

Application Window

Open date: May 1, 2026

Next review date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The UCLA Joint Institute for Regional Earth System Science and Engineering (JIFRESSE) invites applications for a position of Part-Time Project Scientist (10% FTE) whose research will focus on aerosols, clouds, trace gases, moisture, pollution transport, and their impacts on weather, climate, and Earth-system processes. Research activities may include:

• Analysis of satellite and/or in situ observations of aerosols, clouds, trace gases, water vapor, and pollution transport
• Evaluation of regional and global climate or chemistry-climate models using observational constraints
• Development and application of model diagnostics, satellite simulators, radiative-transfer tools, or data-analysis methods for aerosol, cloud, and atmospheric-composition studies
• Studies of aerosol-cloud-climate interactions and their implications for regional and global climate variability and change
• Support for interdisciplinary research connecting Earth observations, climate modeling, and future satellite mission concepts
• Where appropriate, exploration of comparative atmospheric-science approaches that use Earth as a reference system for understanding planetary and exoplanet atmospheres

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application):

• Doctorate degree in Earth science, atmospheric science, physics, or a closely related field
• Minimum of five years of research experience in atmospheric science, climate science, remote sensing, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience in atmospheric science, including remote sensing of aerosols, clouds, moisture, radiation, or climate processes
• Extensive experience analyzing satellite observations of atmospheric composition, clouds, aerosols, water vapor, or related climate variables
• Experience with numerical modeling, model evaluation, or climate data analysis using regional or global models, such as WRF, WRF-Chem, CESM, or comparable modeling systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Application Requirements

Document 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 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

Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Reference requirements

n/a

Apply link:

https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11011

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

Job location

Los Angeles, CA

Skills:

• Aerosols
• Affirmative Action
• Analysis Skills
• Atmospheric Physics
• Atmospheric Sciences
• Chemistry
• Climate Change
• Cloud Computing
• Communication Skills
• Data Analysis
• Earth Sciences
• Healthcare
• Higher Education
• Non Line Of Sight (NLOS)
• Presentation/Verbal Skills
• Staff Policies
• Strategic Planning
• Systems Engineering
• Training/Teaching
• Training/Teaching Curriculum
• Water Pollution
• Writing Skills

University of California Los Angeles