Assistant Project Scientist

About the role

The Department of Marine Physical Laboratory Division (MPL) within the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego seeks an Assistant Project Scientist. The candidate will work within a research team, collaborate with colleagues outside UCSD, and apply advanced expertise in ocean optics, ocean biogeochemistry, autonomous ocean observing systems, and satellite remote sensing to advance the university’s ocean sciences programs and gain recognition in the scientific community.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-impact research in ocean optics and biogeochemistry and disseminate results through publications, presentations, or patents.
• Provide independent expertise in planning and executing research projects spanning laboratory measurements, field campaigns, autonomous platform observations, and satellite remote sensing.
• Contribute to the scientific community through professional activities (e.g., invited talks, peer review, and awards).
• Engage in university- or public-service activities as allowed by funding and job responsibilities.

Assistant Project Scientists at UC San Diego are academic researchers expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research team but are not required to lead a team or develop an independent research reputation. Research and publication activities are carried out under the supervision of a member of the Professor or Professional Research series. All positions are subject to availability of funding.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Ph.D. in Oceanography

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Demonstrated experience in ocean optics, including the use of in situ and/or satellite remote sensing measurements to study ocean optical properties and suspended particulate matter.
• Demonstrated track record of conducting laboratory and field measurements of the inherent optical properties of marine particles, especially angle-resolved polarized light scattering and spectral absorption.
• Strong understanding of relationships between inherent optical properties and particle characteristics.
• Strong proficiency in methodologies for characterizing particle composition and size distribution.
• Experience working with autonomous ocean observing platforms and their associated optical and biogeochemical datasets.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in developing and validating algorithms linking optical measurements to biogeochemical variables such as particulate organic carbon concentration and particle size distribution metrics.
• Experience integrating autonomous platform observations (especially Biogeochemical-Argo float data) with satellite remote sensing to study particulate carbon pools and fluxes.
• Experience or demonstrated interest in developing and utilizing novel optical sensor technologies for autonomous platforms.

Pay

A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $79,400 - $96,500 annually. "Off-scale salaries," i.e., salaries higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, may be offered to meet competitive conditions. The posted UC academic salary scales (T37 B) set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment.

Job location

San Diego, CA