Position overview

Position title: Salmon Ecology Modeling Assistant Project Scientist

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 ___ (E.G., Scientist) 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 $86,400 - $ 88,000.

Percent time: Full-time (100%)

Anticipated start: January 4, 2026.

Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, 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: October 1, 2025

Next review date: Monday, Nov 3, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Dec 19, 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

Professor Jerome Fiechter in the Department of Ocean Sciences at the University of California Santa Cruz invites application for the position of Project Scientist in Salmon Ecology Modeling . The successful candidate will apply state-of-the-art techniques to model salmon-predator dynamics along the California Coast with the purpose of developing best management practices relative to juvenile salmon outmigration characteristics (size, timing, and location). Specific research tasks include implementing and analyzing individual-based model simulations that incorporate dynamical information about seascape, alternate forage, and predation effects on juvenile salmon survival directly following outmigration as it relates to variability in growth and mortality risk at sea.

The project scientist will work under the direct supervision of Professor Jerome Fiechter and is expected to collaborate closely with researchers in the Salmon Ecology Division at NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz. Required skills include demonstrated experience with individual-based models applied to marine ecosystems, proficiency using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), strong familiarity with data processing and NetCDF format, and a working knowledge of programming/scientific languages (Fortran, Python, R, etc.) and Linux. The successful candidate should also have a demonstrated ability to make significant and creative contributions to research, successfully work as a team member, and summarize scientific findings in the form of peer-reviewed publications and oral presentations.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.

Ocean Sciences Department :

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)

Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in marine science or related field, such as oceanography, environmental sciences, etc.

A minimum of four years of full-time, post-degree experience in marine ecosystem modeling.

Experience with implementation and analysis of individual based models.

Demonstrated knowledge of physical and biological properties of the California Current ecosystem.

Demonstrated knowledge of California salmon population dynamics.

Familiarity with California small pelagics, rockfish, and seabird population dynamics.

Demonstrated experience collaborating with salmon ecologists and fisheries scientists at the state/federal level.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications. Please include DOI links or the URLs of PDFs for any publications listed on your CV.

Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications, interest in the position, and future research directions

Statement of Research

Reference requirements 3-5 required (contact information only) Applicants must provide the names and contact information of their references. The hiring unit will request confidential letters* from the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration. 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 confidentiality-statements/.

Apply link: JPF02002

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Job location Santa Cruz, CA