Assistant Scientist of Past Global Change

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Health insurance

Paid leave

Job summary

University of Florida invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Assistant Scientist position in Geography, focusing on historical biogeography and paleoclimatology. Responsibilities include fieldwork in remote locations, lab prep for stable isotope geochemistry, and developing proposals.

A PhD and postdoctoral experience are required with a proven funding track record. The role emphasizes long-term environmental reconstructions using lake/wetland archives and may involve travel by boat; UF

Qualifications

• PhD required in Geography or closely related field.
• Postdoctoral experience is required.
• Proven record of establishing a research program with peer‑reviewed publications and securing funding.

Responsibilities

• Field collection of materials in remote locations for study.
• Laboratory preparation of geobiological samples for isotope analysis.
• Writing proposals and leading research activities in historical biogeography and paleoclimatology.

Skills

Stable isotope geochemistry

radiometric dating

Sediment processing

Field work

Grant funding

Education

PhD in Geography or closely related field

Job description

Assistant Scientist of Past Global Change

Job no: 541927
Work type: Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Education/Training/Instructional Design, Grant or Research Administration
Department: 16220000 - LS-GEOGRAPHY

Assistant Scientist of Past Global Change

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Geography or closely related field. Relevant postdoctoral experience is required. Demonstrated record of establishing a well-recognized research program (peer-reviewed publications) including applying for and securing funding is required. Critical to the role is proven expertise in stable isotope geochemistry, radiometric dating including carbon and lead isotope systems, collection and processing of sediments from lakes and wetlands.

The Department of Geography at the University of Florida invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Assistant Scientist position with a specialization in historical biogeography and paleoclimatology beginning December 11, 2026. We seek highly qualified candidates from areas of Geography and closely related fields. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in field and laboratory methods that reconstruct environmental changes over time using natural archives such as lake and wetland sediment. The successful candidate will carry out studies of long‑term drivers and ecological consequences of wildfire disturbance in tropical and subtropical settings.

Duties include field collection of materials in remote locations requiring driving and boating, laboratory preparation of geobiological samples for stable and radiometric isotope geochemistry, writing of proposals in the candidate’s field of expertise.

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation includes a full benefits package.

UF offers a strong benefits package for eligible faculty appointments, including health insurance, paid leave (as applicable), and retirement options. Learn more here .

Required Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Geography or closely related field. Relevant postdoctoral experience is required. Demonstrated record of establishing a well-recognized research program (peer-reviewed publications) including applying for and securing funding is required. Critical to the role is proven expertise in stable isotope geochemistry, radiometric dating including carbon and lead isotope systems, collection and processing of sediments from lakes and wetlands.

Preferred:

Preferred: Experience working with sedimentary records of past global change is desired including wildfire and ecological histories, paleoclimate, and human-environment interactions over millennial timescales using geochemical methods and geobiological samples. Experience and a geographic focus on Pacific Islands and Eastern US forests is preferred.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre‑employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ .

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date. Review of applications will begin on November 23 rd , 2026 and will continue until a successful applicant is selected.

Health Assessment Required:

Health Assessment Required: No

Advertised: 04 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 04 Dec 2026 Eastern Standard Time

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.