Postbaccalaureate Fellows in Community-Based Earth and Environmental Science Research
Position overview
Application Window
Open date: February 25, 2026
Next review date: Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 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 University of California, Irvine (UCI) Community Geoscience Initiative (CGI), based in the Dept. of Earth System Science (ESS), is recruiting recent college graduates for paid one-year postbaccalaureate (postbac) fellowships for our third cohort of CGI Fellows. Fellows will be hired as full-time employees (Junior Specialists) in the ESS department with an annual salary of $55,000 for a one-year appointment that includes generous benefits. The Fellowship period will run from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. This opportunity is open to all recent BA or BS recipients (must have received degree after January 1, 2024) in geoscience or related disciplines (e.g., earth system science, environmental science and policy, geology, geography, ecology, chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental engineering, etc.) from any institution. Fellows must be authorized to work in the US.
As UCI employees, CGI Postbac Fellows will receive performance reviews based on their fulfillment of the responsibilities outlined below.
CGI Postbac Fellows will:
- Learn new technical skills and gain hands-on research experience with UCI faculty who are working on cutting-edge earth and environmental science research.
- Work closely with local community-based organizations to conduct team-based research projects that address environmental issues of interest to the community.
- Participate in seminars, workshops, and classes on social science, geoscience, and community-based research methods.
- Receive guidance from a diverse network of mentors.
- Participate in professional development activities designed to help achieve career goals, whether that be entering the workforce or pursuing graduate studies.
- Join an inclusive learning community of students, researchers, faculty, and staff dedicated to conducting research that centers the needs of communities that are most affected by climate and environmental change.
The Community Geoscience Initiative strives to foster a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative working environment that welcomes people from all backgrounds. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geographic region, and more. We also encourage applications from those who have had limited opportunities to participate in research or professional development activities during their undergraduate studies.
Qualifications
An expected or recent B.S. or B.A. degree (conferred between January 1, 2024, and August 31, 2026) in geoscience or related disciplines (e.g., earth system science, environmental science and policy, geology, geography, ecology, chemistry, atmospheric science, environmental engineering, etc.).
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Curriculum Vitae - Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume that includes the following sections: Personal information (name, email, phone, address, etc.); Education information (year of degree, college name, major); Research experience in previous courses or jobs (if applicable); Skills background (computer, lab, field, language, or other skills); Honors or scholarships; Previous work experience; Service, education, or volunteer work (e.g. tutoring, teaching, outreach, etc).
Cover Letter - Cover letter (one page) explaining your relevant background, your interest in this opportunity, and your immediate and long-term career goals
Unofficial transcripts - from any undergraduate institutions attended.
Essay Questions - Essay Questions: Please respond to the following prompts and submit as a single document (recommended length: 100-200 words each).
a. Describe the areas of research that interest you most, your personal goals for the fellowship, and indicate your preference for working in office, lab, and/or field settings.
b. Write about your career goals and how participating in this postbac program will help you meet these goals.
c. Please describe what community-based research means to you and what principles one should adhere to while conducting it. Use a specific example, if possible.
d. What unique perspectives, skills, or abilities would you bring to CGI? These could be related to your experience in school, your past work or volunteer experiences, or your lived experience.
e. CGI is dedicated to building an inclusive geoscience learning community, building equitable community-university partnerships, and sharing our science with a broader audience. Please describe how you, based on your personal background and life experiences, will contribute to this mission during and after participation in the program.
- 2 required (contact information only)
Reference letters will only be requested for those who are under serious consideration (long list). References should be able to speak to your academic and/or personal background, research potential, and overall suitability for the program.
About UC Irvine
The University of California, Irvine 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 categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.
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.
- “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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
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APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.
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.