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The Department of Earth System Science (ESS) at the University of California, Irvine, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position focused on advancing fundamental understanding of terrestrial ecosystems and their responses to global environmental change.

We encourage applications from candidates pursuing innovative research in areas that may include, but are not limited to, vegetation dynamics and ecosystem demography, disturbance processes, plant ecology and ecosystem functioning, carbon, nutrient and water cycles, land–atmosphere interactions, ecohydrology, climate adaptation and mitigation, and the response of ecosystems to environmental change. We welcome candidates who work in natural or managed systems using conceptual, observational, computational, or experimental approaches. We are particularly interested in candidates who integrate multiple approaches to address fundamental questions about terrestrial ecosystems and their role in the Earth System.

Applicants must have a doctoral degree and are expected to have a strong record of peer-reviewed scholarship, a compelling vision for an innovative and externally funded research program and for excellence in teaching and mentoring. The position is expected to begin July 1, 2027. UCI is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). UCI is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples, supports work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies, and is dedicated to broadening participation in higher education. Compensation is competitive and includes priority access to purchase on-campus faculty housing at below-market prices.

UC Irvine’s ESS department was founded to explore the global environmental changes that occur on human time scales. The department includes faculty from a wide range of academic backgrounds (Home | ESS).

If you have questions, please contact facultysearch@ess.uci.edu. Review of applications will begin December 28, 2026.

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
• 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.