Coastal Biogeochemistry Assistant Researcher

Distinguished Professor Adina Paytan in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), invites applications for the position of Coastal Biogeochemistry Researcher. Under the direction of Distinguished Professor Adina Paytan, the Coastal Biogeochemistry Researcher will conceptualize, design, implement, and publish field and laboratory studies to understand and quantify carbon, nutrient, and contaminant dynamics and fluxes in coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

Applicants with expertise in coastal and estuarine systems (particularly the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta) and a solid understanding of hydrology and biogeochemistry using a wide array of field and laboratory methods are highly encouraged to apply. We are seeking a candidate with strong technical and interdisciplinary skills.

Applicants with the following areas of expertise are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Deep expertise in field and laboratory approaches to quantify carbon, nutrient, and contaminant dynamics in estuarine and coastal systems.
• Strong track record of quantifying surface and groundwater fluxes using tools such as stream gaging and environmental tracers (e.g., radium and radon isotopes).
• Experience with high-frequency in situ sensor networks (e.g., YSI sondes, Pro-Oceanus) for real-time water quality and carbon flux monitoring.
• Familiarity with coastal wetland carbon accounting frameworks and potential policy applications for nature-based solutions.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders, including agricultural and conservation communities, regulatory agencies, and policymakers.
• Record of publishing high-quality peer-reviewed scientific articles and presenting at national conferences.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring and supporting inclusive excellence in geosciences.
• Experience leading or participating in interdisciplinary and interagency research collaborations.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

Paytan Biogeochemistry Lab: https://paytanlab.ucsc.edu/

Earth and Planetary Sciences Department: https://eps.ucsc.edu/

• Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in earth sciences, hydrology, or biogeochemistry.
  
  
• A minimum of five years' full-time, post-degree, research experience focused on coastal or estuarine biogeochemistry and/or hydrology.
• Demonstrated experience studying managed and natural hydrologic processes on islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
• Demonstrated experience with evaluating water quality and water quantity responses to diverse disturbances, including wildfire, agriculture, and wastewater inputs.
• Record of serving as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on federally or state-funded research grants.
• Experience with spatial analysis and data science tools including ArcGIS, R, Python, Surfer, and SigmaPlot.
• Experience with land-use transitions, including rice cultivation, tidal wetland, and managed wetland restoration projects on islands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Your application must demonstrate that you meet all of the basic qualifications listed above at the time that you submit your application. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC's confidentiality statement at https://academicpersonnel.ucsc.edu/confidentiality-statements/.

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 or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
  

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

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UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

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.

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