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Senior Coastal Scientist

Position overview

Position title: Senior Coastal Scientist (Associate Project Scientist and Full Project Scientist Ranks)
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the scale titled, Represented Project Series Fiscal Year. A salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. A reasonable estimate for this position is $100,000 - $130,000.
Percent time: Full-time (100%)
Anticipated start: As soon as possible after the initial review of applications.
Position duration: Initial appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: August 27, 2024

Most recent review date: Friday, Sep 27, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) and the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR) at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position Senior Coastal Scientist.

The CCCR recently signed a four-year cooperative agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers' Engineering With Nature Program (USACE EWN) on "Advancing Coastal Adaptation with Equitable Nature-Based Solutions". Working under the direction of Drs. Michael Beck and Borja Reguero, the senior coastal scientist will serve as the co-lead of this large-scale cooperative agreement and will play a primary role in the overall project management and implementation. In coordination with project Principal Investigators (PIs), the incumbent will oversee the research team and lead or co-lead several of the core activities including the development of hydrodynamic modeling of the effects of marshes on surge and wave attenuation; the hydrodynamics of reef restoration; and cost-benefit analyses of nature-based adaptation and equity aspects. The candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in other center efforts, which include projects supported by NSF, FEMA, World Bank, TNC, and the insurance sector among others.

Specifically, the incumbent will help co-lead the work to advance the following areas of focus:

(i) Coastal models that better represent coastal protection benefits of wetlands and reefs;
(ii) Socio-economic analyses that value nature's benefits in reducing damages from storms;
(iii) Engineering design recommendations and performance estimates for coral and rocky reef nature-based solutions;
(iv) More equitable benefit cost analyses; and
(v) Compelling outreach and communications on the role of nature in protecting underserved communities such as the coupling of hydrodynamic models and game engines.

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

  • Managing multidisciplinary, complex projects and teams.
  • Building and strengthening partnerships.
  • Communicating results with diverse stakeholders.
  • Developing decision support tools.
  • Grant writing or fundraising.
  • Working with risk industry, including engineering or insurance firms.
  • Working with underserved communities.

This position also requires excellent leadership skills to successfully engage and partner with USACE staff and other key stakeholders such as insurers to incorporate results into coastal management and risk industry models.

There is also potential for advancement and growth opportunities within our center in the future.

Institute of Marine Sciences: https://ims.ucsc.edu/

Center for Coastal Climate Resilience: https://climateresilience.ucsc.edu/

The Coastal Resilience Lab: https://www.coastalresiliencelab.org/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • A PhD (or equivalent foreign degree) in coastal engineering, marine sciences, geology, oceanography, or a related field.
  • A minimum ten years' experience in coastal resilience and modeling of coastal processes.
  • Demonstrated experience with numerical hydrodynamic and morphologic modeling (such as wave run-up, flooding, coastal erosion and sediment dynamics).
  • Demonstrated experience with coastal modeling programs including X-Beach, Delft3D, or other similar models; Python, Matlab or other programming languages; and GIS and geospatial analysis.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include your publication record.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 letters of reference required

Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation*. 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 http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm.

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01812

Help contact: sfogg@ucsc.edu

About UC Santa Cruz

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.

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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 (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

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

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The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

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.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu

Job location

Santa Cruz, California