Postdoctoral Scholar in Terrestrial Hydrology and Remote Sensing

About the role

The Department of Earth System Science at the University of California, Irvine is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to investigate the global spatial organization of precipitation, soil moisture, and vegetation using satellite observations and models. The postdoctoral scholar will work on an NSF-funded project examining how hydrologic and vegetation conditions are organized across spatial scales, the environmental factors that control these patterns, and how well they are represented in models.

Start dates are flexible over Fall 2026–Winter 2027, with preference for earlier start dates.

Responsibilities

• Analyze satellite observations and model output
• Develop approaches for characterizing hydrologic and vegetation patterns across spatial scales
• Evaluate the representation of these patterns in models
• Lead peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Present results at scientific conferences
• Contribute to the development of openly available datasets and analysis tools
• Collaborate closely with the PI
• Mentor undergraduate researchers
• Participate actively in research group meetings and discussions

Qualifications

• Expected or recent PhD in hydrology, remote sensing, Earth system science, or a relevant field
• Proficiency in scientific programming and analysis of large datasets
• Experience with remote sensing and geospatial data analysis
• Experience working in high-performance computing environments

Pay

The salary ranges from $69,073 to $82,836 USD per year, inclusive of benefits.

Schedule

This is a two-year position that is renewable, pending good progress and funding.