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Faculty positions in atmospheric, oceanic, earth, planetary, and space sciences

UCLA is launching an initiative to grow the Geosciences under the theme Surface Envelopes of Earth and Planets: Processes and Interactions. This initiative represents significant new resources to promote interdisciplinary research on the dynamic processes affecting interactions of air, ice, clouds, water, rock and living systems, informed by studies of other planets and the Sun. Appointees will complement UCLA’s current expertise and span disciplinary boundaries to better understand Earth's future in the context of changing global climate and diminished natural resources.

In the coming year, appointments will be made in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS), the Department of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS), and the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP). Joint appointments will be made as appropriate. Appointments not filled this year may be filled later. In subsequent years we plan new rounds of appointments spanning a wider range of physical, biological and social sciences and engineering.

Faculty positions are sought in the following areas, with multiple and/or senior appointments possible in certain areas. Applicants may be considered in multiple areas with a single application. Please submit only one application and designate in priority order, by the categories below, the areas under which you prefer your application to be considered.

A1. Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosols
E1. Planetary Science
E2. Biogeoscience
E3. Land Surface Processes
G1. Planetary Atmospheres
G2. Environment, Energy and Society
G3. Surface Processes and Climate
G4. Solar variability

A1. Atmospheric Chemistry and Aerosols. A broad Earth-system view of atmospheric chemistry, composition, and aerosols in the context of global and regional climate changes: Relevant methodologies include model formulation, data assimilation, and interpretation of observations.

E1. Planetary Science. Successful candidates may take theoretical, observational, or preferably both approaches to explore the formation, evolution, and present state of planets, satellites, and small bodies. All the objects in the solar system and extra-solar planets are of interest as are their interiors, surfaces, atmospheres and near-space environments.

E2. Biogeoscience. Field and/or laboratory investigations of major questions such as: What conditions must be met for life to initiate, and how have primitive organisms evolved into complex ones? How have the biosphere and the rest of earth co-evolved? How does the biosphere respond to human influences?

E3. Land Surface Processes. Theoretical and/or observational studies of landscape evolution; comparative planetary-surface studies; Quaternary geochronology; low-temperature thermochronology; remote sensing; geohazards; experimental geomorphology.

G1. Planetary Atmospheres. Observations, theory, and modeling of the physical and chemical processes responsible for the structure and circulation of extra-terrestrial planetary and satellite atmospheres, from the thermosphere to the solid surface or into the deep interior of the gas planets, and in relation to Earth's past, present, and future climate.

G2. Environment, Energy and Society. Water, soil, and energy resources; impacts of environmental change on health and population; assessment of environmental mitigation and remediation strategies (e.g., clean, efficient technology; pollutant sequestration and recycling; planetary geo-engineering); global economic risk modeling.

G3. Surface Processes and Climate. Modeling and observational studies of interactions and feedbacks between climate, erosion and deposition, soil, water, ice, ecosystems, and geodynamics. Includes paleoclimate, marine chemistry, hydrology, and glaciology. Compare with E3. Applicants who list G3 and E3 as first and second priorities will be considered in both.

G4. Solar variability. Causes of solar variability and its consequences for Earth and the rest of the heliosphere: Of interest are the regular 22 year magnetic cycle, longer-period fluctuations, and the sudden, episodic eruption of flares from the surface for the Sun as our nearest star and as a paradigm for stellar variability elsewhere.

Appointments will be made in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (AOS), the Department of Earth and Space Sciences (ESS), and the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), jointly as appropriate. More information may be found at www.atmos.ucla.edu, www.ess.ucla.edu and www.igpp.ucla.edu.

Applicants may be considered in multiple areas with a single application. Please submit only one application and prioritize the positions for which you wish to be considered. Most appointments are targeted at the Assistant Professor level but applications from senior candidates are welcomed. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience will be an advantage.

Please include a curriculum vitae, publication list, short statement of teaching and research interests, names of four or more informed potential referees, and three publications. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Send applications and inquiries to Faculty_Positions@igpp.ucla.edu or Faculty Positions, Institute of Geophysics and Space Physics, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1567. Women and minority applicants are encouraged to apply. UCLA is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.