Coastal Wetlands Assistant Project Scientist

Company: University of California - Santa Cruz
Location: Santa Cruz
Posted on: May 18, 2025

Job Description:

Position overview Position title: Wetlands Assistant Project Scientist Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the scale titled, REPRESENTED PROJECT ___ (E.G., SCIENTIST) SERIES FISCAL YEAR. A reasonable estimate for this position is $82,100 - $85,900. Percent time: Full-time (100%) Anticipated start: As soon as possible after the initial review of applications. Position duration: Initial appointment will be for two years with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding. Application Window Open date: April 21, 2025 Next review date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Tuesday, Jul 1, 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 Professor Adina Paytan in The Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applicants for the Coastal Wetlands Assistant Project Scientist. The UCSC Paytan Biogeochemistry Lab is dedicated to exploring the intricate web of interactions between living organisms and the chemical elements that shape our planet.Under the direction of Dr. Adina Paytan at UCSC, the assistant project scientist will work on establishing models using the Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS) and PFLOTRAN for wetland process representations and parameterizations. Then after model benchmarking, using the models to investigate how different marsh sites within Elkhorn Slough and climate change will affect wetland hydrology and carbon balance. The selected candidate will be required to use ATS and PFLOTRAN (or ATS-PFLOTRAN) to model carbon balance / carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands as a nature based decarbonization solution. Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) are essential to this position.Duties will include numerical modeling to assess carbon balance / carbon sequestration at coastal wetland sites using ATS-PFLOTRAN. We are seeking a candidate with strong technical and interdisciplinary skills. Applicants with any of the following areas of expertise are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C++, Linux, and QGIS;
• Experience with using high-performance computers for scientific modeling and simulations;
• Experience with parallel computing using OpenMP and MPI;
• Familiarity with wetland hydrology and carbon dynamics, particularly in the numerical modeling; and/or
• Familiarity with restoration projects at Elkhorn Slough. Paytan Biogeochemistry Lab: https://paytanlab.ucsc.edu/Earth and Planetary Sciences Department: https://eps.ucsc.edu/ Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)
  • A Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in environmental engineering, earth sciences, oceanography, or a related discipline.
  • Demonstrated experience with Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS) and PFLOTRAN.
  • Demonstrated experience in wetland process representations and parameterizations.Your application must demonstrate that you meet all of the basic qualifications listed above when you submit your application. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Application Requirements Document requirements
    • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a 1) list of publications (include DOI links or the URLs of PDFs for any publications listed on your CV), and 2) the names and contact information for a minimum of three professional references. The hiring unit will contact the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.
    • Cover Letter - A letter that summarizes your qualifications (previous research experience, relevant skills), and interest in the position.
    • Statement of Research (Optional) Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01901 Help contact: amylkorn@ucsc.edu About UC Santa Cruz 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
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      • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in EmploymentThe 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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602. Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. 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. VISIT UC Santa Cruz Job location Santa Cruz, CARequired
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Keywords: University of California - Santa Cruz, Union City , Coastal Wetlands Assistant Project Scientist, Other , Santa Cruz, California