Job Announcement
McKinnon group is hiring a postdoctoral scholar focused on the role of land-atmosphere interactions in modifying summertime temperature distributions

Position description

The McKinnon group at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is hiring a postdoctoral scholar focused on the role of land-atmosphere interactions in modifying summertime temperature distributions. The selected candidate will develop and analyze a hierarchy of numerical modeling simulations to advance process-level understanding towards the goal of formalizing and quantifying the contribution of the land surface – and its changes – to heat.

The postdoc will be advised and mentored by Professor McKinnon, and be part of an active, interdisciplinary research group that spans the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, the Department of Statistics and Data Science, and the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. The position is in-person. There is support for conference travel (approximately two meetings per year, adjusted as needed) and other professional development.

Qualifications

The required qualifications are:

• A PhD in atmospheric science, climate science, Earth science, or related fields
• High competency or fluency in python
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

The ideal qualifications also include:

• Prior knowledge about land-atmosphere interactions, atmospheric dynamics, climate modeling, and/or statistical analysis of climate data.
• Experience working with large climate datasets using tools like xarray

Salary, benefits, appointment length, and start date

The minimum starting salary (for a candidate coming directly from a PhD) is $66,737 and includes standard cost of living increases to salary each year. Salary is commensurate with experience level. The position includes full benefits, including medical, dental, and vision. UCLA postdocs are unionized.

The length of the appointment is expected to be three years; the appointment may be extended further if mutually desirable and conditional on funding availability. As per UCLA policy, the initial appointment will be for two years; reappointment for an additional year is expected assuming satisfactory performance. The start date is flexible, although ideally between June-September 2025.

Application instructions

Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted by May 5^th to be fully considered in the first round of review. To apply, submit the following materials through UCLA Recruit: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10310

• A cover letter that describes how you fulfill the required and (if relevant) ideal requirements for the position
  • why you are interested in the position
  • your medium- and long-term career goals
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three references. Only references for shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Relevant university policies

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “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
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Contact

Questions about the position may be directed to Karen McKinnon (kmckinnon@ucla.edu) using the email subject line “Heat extremes postdoc application questions.” Contact any McKinnon group member to learn more about being part of the group.