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Earth System Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

OffWorld

Lead Space Systems Engineer

Altadena, CA · On-site

$120K/yr

... system forextremeenvironmentson Earth. Ourrobots willgo deeper underground and farthest on Earth ... You will work with scientists, engineers, project managers, customers, vendors, end users and other ...

OffWorld

Lead Space Systems Engineer

Altadena, CA · On-site

... system for extreme environments on Earth. Our robots will go deeper underground and ... You will work with scientists, engineers, project managers, customers, vendors, end users and other ...

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All JobsEarth System Science JobsEarth System Science Jobs in California

Earth System Science information

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$24.2K

$47.8K

$78K

How much do earth system science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for earth system science in California is $47,757.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $51,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Earth System Scientist do?

An Earth System Scientist studies the interactions among Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere to understand climate, environmental changes, and natural processes. They often use computer models, data analysis, and fieldwork to analyze complex systems and inform policy or conservation efforts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Earth System Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Earth System Scientist, you need a solid background in environmental science, geology, atmospheric science, and data analysis, often supported by an advanced degree in a related field. Expertise in technical tools such as remote sensing software, geographic information systems (GIS), climate modeling platforms, and programming languages like Python or R is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication skills help translate complex scientific data into actionable insights for diverse audiences. These skills are crucial for advancing our understanding of Earth's processes, informing policy, and addressing global environmental challenges.

What jobs can you do with earth system science?

Earth System Science graduates can pursue careers such as environmental scientist, climate analyst, geoscientist, or sustainability specialist. These roles often involve data analysis, fieldwork, and the use of tools like GIS software, with some positions requiring advanced degrees or certifications in related fields.

What can you do with an earth system science degree?

An earth system science degree prepares individuals for careers in environmental consulting, research, policy analysis, and resource management. Graduates often work for government agencies, research institutions, or private companies, utilizing skills in data analysis, GIS, and environmental modeling. Certification or advanced training may enhance job prospects in specialized fields.

What are some common interdisciplinary collaborations for professionals in Earth System Science?

Earth System Science professionals frequently collaborate with experts from fields like atmospheric science, oceanography, geology, ecology, and data science. These interdisciplinary partnerships are essential for addressing complex environmental challenges such as climate change, resource management, and natural hazard prediction. Teamwork often involves joint research projects, data sharing, and contributing specialized expertise to integrated models or policy recommendations. This collaborative environment not only broadens your skill set but also opens up diverse career advancement opportunities.

Is earth system science a good major?

Earth System Science is a multidisciplinary major that prepares students for careers in environmental research, policy, and resource management. Graduates often work in government agencies, research institutions, or consulting firms, utilizing skills in data analysis, modeling, and environmental monitoring. The major provides a strong foundation for roles related to climate change, sustainability, and natural resource management.

What is Earth System Science?

Earth System Science is an interdisciplinary field that studies the interactions between the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and human activities. It seeks to understand how these systems interact, influence each other, and change over time. By examining these complex relationships, Earth System Science helps us predict environmental changes, manage natural resources, and address challenges like climate change. Professionals in this field often use tools from physics, chemistry, geology, and biology to analyze data and build models of the Earth's processes.
What are popular job titles related to Earth System Science jobs in California? For Earth System Science jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Earth System Science jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Earth System Science jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Earth System Science jobs? Cities in California with the most Earth System Science job openings:
Earth System Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Earth System Science job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, and 67% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,757 per year, or $23 per hour.

AI-Readiness & Data Automation Postdoctoral Scholar

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$6.5K - $8.9K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory rating

9.5

Company rating: 9.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 120 rated laboratories

Job description

The Earth and Environmental Sciences Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop and curate unique and cutting-edge AI-ready data for the U.S. Department of Energy's ESS-DIVE repository.
The DOE Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program produces uniquely valuable datasets increasingly used in AI/ML, but many are not AI-ready due to inconsistent formatting, missing metadata, or incompatible file types.
The selected candidate will join an interdisciplinary team to improve and expand upon how DOE environmental data is prepared for AI to further our understanding of Earth system processes and to enable environmental management. This includes working with ESS-DIVE users and the broader community to create machine-readable data products and develop tools and guidance for contributors.
The successful candidate will:
  • Develop practical guidance for what "AI-ready data" should include that extends beyond the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Reusable, Interoperable) principles
  • Build and extend tools that validate datasets, and check whether they meet AI-readiness requirements.
  • Help automate dataset preparation using reporting format templates and structured workflows.
  • Enable translation of legacy DOE data into AI-ready formats, lead creation of example AI-ready benchmark datasets and supporting documentation.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a KEY supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!
Why join Berkeley Lab?
We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:
  • Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
  • A culture where you'll belong - we are invested in our teams!
  • In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
  • Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)

You will:
  • Define AI-ready data standards: Establish and maintain guidance on metadata and formatting requirements for DOE environmental datasets.
  • Build automated checks and tools: Develop LLM-supported methods to assess AI readiness and convert datasets into consistent, usable formats.
  • Drive training and adoption: Create documentation, tutorials, and outreach to promote AI-ready data practices across the research lifecycle.
  • Curate benchmark datasets: Select, standardize, and document ESS-DIVE datasets for AI training and validation.
  • Support automated workflows: Contribute to developing agent-based pipelines that streamline data preparation, validation, and integration.

We are looking for:
  • Ph.D.in environmental science, earth science, informatics, or a closely related field.
  • Experience working with environmental/scientific datasets (cleaning, processing, analysis, synthesis).
  • Strong programming skills, especially Python (or comparable scientific programming).
  • Experience with LLM-assisted or agent-based workflows.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain technical requirements to non-experts.
  • Demonstrated record of scholarly or technical contributions (e.g., publications, reports, or significant software contributions).

Desired skills/knowledge:
  • Experience with metadata standards, data schemas, or FAIR principles, particularly with data formats commonly used in earth/environmental sciences (e.g., netCDF).
  • Experience building data pipelines for ingesting and harmonizing data from multiple sources and tracking data provenance.
  • Familiarity with agentic AI tooling such as Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) pipelines, agent skills, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers.
  • Ability/willingness to travel to partner institutions and conferences as needed.

Material to submit:
  • CV and cover letter, including a list of recent publications
  • Links to any relevant public code repositories if available

Additional information:
  • Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by July 6, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
  • Appointment type: This is a full-time, 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
  • Salary range: The monthly salary range for this position is $6,573 - $8,921 and is expected to start at $6,573 or above. Postdoc positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D postdoctoral and/or related research experience.
  • Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
  • Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
  • Union Represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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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