Ocean Career: SIO Senior Research Associate

Scripps Institution of Oceanography logo
The Hydroclimate, Fire, Vegetation, and Society (HiFiVeS) research group at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), UC San Diego. The Senior Research Associate (SRA) plays a central role in advancing high-impact Earth science research.

Work creatively to disentangle the complex ways in which climate variability affects and interacts with terrestrial systems, including via wildfire and resultant changes in terrestrial biomass and hydrology. Serve as lead author and co-author of articles that report on research results for publication in peer reviewed journals. Assist with and provide leadership in developing the team’s approach to computing and data management. Assist with leadership of the research group by helping to advise students and postdocs, discussing leadership strategy with PI, and by setting a positive example of hard, creative work and in-person participation. Communicate research results and implications by, for example, giving presentations at professional meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Earth System Science, Atmospheric Science, Ecology, Hydrology, or a closely related field. Ph.D. preferred
  • Advanced knowledge of Earth System Science, Atmospheric Science, Ecology, Hydrology, or a closely related field journals and international literature repositories.
  • Ability to co-author peer-reviewed articles in Earth System Science, Atmospheric Science, Ecology, Hydrology, or a closely related field.
  • Proven ability to disseminate scientific information, including multiple publications in leading peer-reviewed journals and presentation at international scientific conferences.
  • Extensive knowledge and ability to discuss the scientific literature related to research on hydroclimate, wildfire, and vegetation in the western US.
  • Demonstrated commitment to mentorship, supporting the professional and scientific development of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other junior colleagues in a research environment.
  • Advanced computer skills and experience, including fluency in scientific programming languages, strong knowledge of statistics and ability to execute complex statistical analyses with large datasets, ability to work with and generate climate and environmental data formats, and extensive experience with the management serving of large databases.
  • Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize complex tasks.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including proven ability to serve as lead-author of multiple high-quality peer-reviewed publications and deliver high-quality professional presentations of research findings.

Salary range: $82,140 – $132,198

Application deadline: October 2, 2026

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

Search