Assistant Optical Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Position title: ASST PROJ SCIENTIST-FY
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $79,400 - $96,500/annual.
"Off-scale salaries", i.e., 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. The posted UC academic salary scales ( T37 B ) set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment.
Application Window
Open date: August 24, 2026
Most recent review date: Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026 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: Tuesday, Aug 24, 2027 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 Department of Marine Physical Laboratory Division (MPL) within the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the faculty, staff and student body, and invites applications from qualified individuals for an Assistant Project Scientist for an open search.
The candidate is responsible for effectively working within a research team and collaborating with colleagues outside UCSD while demonstrating the capacity to work autonomously. The candidate's responsibility involves applying advanced expertise in areas such as ocean optics, ocean biogeochemistry, autonomous ocean observing systems, and satellite remote sensing to advance the university's ocean sciences programs and gain recognition in the scientific community.
Key Responsibilities:
*Conduct high-impact research in ocean optics and biogeochemistry and disseminate results through publications, presentations, or patents.
*Provide independent expertise in planning and executing research projects spanning laboratory measurements, field campaigns, autonomous platform observations, and satellite remote sensing.
*Contribute to the scientific community through professional activities (e.g., invited talks, peer review, and awards).
*Engage in university- or public-service activities as allowed by funding and job responsibilities.
At UC San Diego, Assistant Project Scientists are academic researchers who are expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research team, but may not necessarily be a leader of a research team. They are not required to carry out independent research or develop an independent research reputation, but will publish and carry out research under the supervision of a member of the Professor or Professional Research series.
All positions are subject to availability of funding.
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and based on University of California pay scales.
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled based on the on-going needs of the Marine Physical Laboratory Division.
Department: https://scripps.ucsd.edu/mpl
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Ph.D. in Oceanography
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
Demonstrated experience in ocean optics including the use of in situ and/or satellite remote sensing measurements to study the ocean optical properties and suspended particulate matter.
Demonstrated track record of conducting laboratory and field measurements of the inherent optical properties of marine particles, especially angle-resolved polarized light scattering and spectral absorption.
Strong understanding of relationships between the inherent optical properties and particle characteristics.
Strong proficiency in methodologies for characterizing particle composition and size distribution.
Experience working with autonomous ocean observing platforms and their associated optical and biogeochemical datasets.
Preferred qualifications
Experience in developing and validating algorithms linking optical measurements to biogeochemical variables such as particulate organic carbon concentration and particle size distribution metrics; experience integrating autonomous platform observations (especially Biogeochemical-Argo float data) with satellite remote sensing to study the particulate carbon pools and fluxes; experience or demonstrated interest in developing and utilizing novel optical sensor technologies for autonomous platforms.
Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter (Optional)
• Statement of Research
• List of Publications - Include a current list of publications

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Please provide contact information (e.g. home institution, email, website, etc.)
Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04601
Help contact: t7nguyen@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
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 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 prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf . This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.
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.
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• "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.
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Job location
San Diego, CA