Recruit
Assistant Project Scientist in the Climate Hazards Center in the Geography Department
Position overview
Position title: Assistant Project ScientistApplication Window
Open date: September 6, 2024
Next review date: Friday, Nov 1, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 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
The Climate Hazards Center (https://chc.ucsb.edu/) at the University of California, Santa Barbara seeks a highly motivated scientist for an exciting multi-year project supported by the US Geological Survey and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The project will be focused on climate analyses within one or more food insecure regions in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and/or Central Asia. Potential investigation topics include (i) the identification of homogeneous, potentially predictable regions sharing common climate variability and climate drivers; (ii) the analysis of evaporative demand and its contribution to drought, vegetation stress, and rangeland productivity; and (iii) research focused on the impacts, causes, and predictability of extreme heat events and/or the impacts of warming air temperatures on snowpack, water supplies or health and/or labor productivity. This scientist will work with key partners and stakeholders in developing countries to co-develop improved climate services, forecasts, information products and agro-climatic datasets. The resulting outputs will empower decision-makers in some of the most at-risk developing nations, help these nations manage the impacts of increasingly extreme weather and climate hazards. This work is done in support of the USAID’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) project.
In addition to climate services activities, this scientist will also engage in the CHC’s routine monitoring and forecasting work, supporting the Famine Early Warning Systems Network’s (FEWS NET) ‘Food Security Outlook’ process. As a member of the FEWS NET Early Warning Science Team, the scientist will examine environmental conditions and forecasts in food insecure countries, and help USAID identify emerging shocks to food availability and access. These efforts will contribute to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of millions of vulnerable people.
The University is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching,
and service as appropriate to the position.
Unit: https://www.chc.ucsb.edu/
Department: https://www.geog.ucsb.edu/
Qualifications
Applicants must have completed (at least) all requirements for a PhD (or international equivalent) in Atmospheric Sciences, Climate Science, Geography/Remote Sensing, Hydrology, Environmental Science, Earth Science, or a related discipline, except the dissertation, at the time of application.
PhD awarded by the time of appointment.
● Strong experience in processing, analyzing, and visualization of large, geospatial gridded datasets of key agro-climatic variables.
● Strong background in quantitative and statistical analysis and modeling of climate and atmospheric variables. Experience in machine learning is highly desirable.
● Experience processing and analyzing climate forecasts, and climate drivers, specifically at seasonal and sub-seasonal scales, to anticipate agro-climatic
conditions.
● Proven ability to interact with non-scientific communities using climate data, explaining appropriate uses and uncertainties.
● Fluency in programming languages such as Python or R.
● Demonstrated ability to make reproducible code for processing and analyzing large datasets.
● Proven record of independently leading research projects, conducting reproducible research, publishing journal articles and presenting at international and national conferences.
● Interest and experience in applied sciences.
● Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with colleagues and external partners.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
Statement of Research - Please provide a research statement on how your research experience and interest can contribute to food insecurity early warning efforts.
(Optional)
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
Please provide telephone and/or email contact information for 3-5 references. Top candidates' references will be contacted by email and/or phone after interviewing.
Help contact: geog-personnel@ucsb.edu
About UC Santa Barbara
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20. For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.
As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.