Assistant Project Scientist

Assistant Project Scientist Apply now to Assistant Project Scientist

Job #JPF10811

• JOINT INSTI REG EARTH SYST SCI/ENGR / L&S Physical Sciences / UCLA

Position overview Position title: Assistant Project Scientist

Salary range: 80,800

Application Window

Open date: February 10, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Mar 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

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

Final date: Thursday, Mar 12, 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 Assistant Project Scientist whose research will focus on the coupled role of ocean and ice-sheet dynamics in ice-shelf rift and damage evolution. The research includes the following activities:

• Investigate how damage and rifts on ice shelves impact the dynamics of glaciers in the Antarctic Peninsula, and the resulting sea level response.
• Will use NASA's Ice-Sheet and Sea-Level System Model (ISSM) as the basis for numerical simulations and analysis, leveraging available satellite data (LandSat, ICESAT2, and NISAR) necessary for model initialization.
• Specifically, this work will focus on a regional model configuration in ISSM of the Antarctic Peninsula, which includes the Larsen C and George VI ice shelves, and will require work in improving existing ice damage/rifting formulation in ISSM.
• These simulations will investigate the impact of melt-water induced hydrofractures and damage at the ice shelf surface on grounding line and ice front dynamics of glaciers in the Antarctic Peninsula over the historical period up to 2100 CE. This will require work with

NASA JPL's Glacier Energy Mass Balance (GEMB) in ISSM, to calculate the surface mass balance forcings needed to force the ice sheet model simulations over the next century.

• Interpreting how the Antarctic Ice Sheet is influenced by variability in the mechanical properties of its ice shelves and how this variability will influence the global warming driven ice mass loss by the end of the century.
• Improve transient damage/rifting formulation in ISSM, which will be released freely on Github for the broad cryosphere community.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application):

• Appointee must possess a doctorate degree in the field of engineering, statistics, earth science, or related disciplines.
• Previous training or experience in ice sheet modeling is required, with experience using ISSM preferred.
• Previous training and experience in scientific computing software platforms (e.g., MATLAB, Python) and experience in C++.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge in ice fracture/damage mechanics, ice sheet modeling, coupled ocean-ice modeling, use of satellite derived data, climate model outputs and general expertise in the fields of cryosphere science and oceanography.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

n/a

• 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/JPF10811

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 (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH)
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/\_files/apm/apm-035.pdf)

Job location

Los Angeles, CA and Pasadena, CA