Postdoctoral Fellow

ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Irvine seeks a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Earth System Science to study atmosphere and ocean–atmosphere interactions affecting S2S to seasonal precipitation prediction for the western United States. Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team includes computer science and statistics to integrate deep generative models.

The two-year appointment is renewable pending progress and funding, with a salary of 69,073–82,836 USD per year and generous benefits.

Qualifications

• An expected or somewhat recent PhD in atmospheric science, or related fields; or a PhD in computer science, applied math, statistics, or related fields with demonstrated interest and publications in atmospheric/climate dynamics.
• Strong quantitative skills as well as detailed domain knowledge of teleconnections and climate patterns, both tropical and extratropical.
• Excellent programming skills including some experience with Python. Experience with deep learning software frameworks like PyTorch is preferred.
• Ability to manipulate and analyze large, and complex operational model output datasets, such as those collected from hindcasts or from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as evidenced by peer reviewed publications and presentations.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• The ideal candidate will also have some experience with running Global Climate Model experiments and/or AI-based weather prediction experiments using high-performance computing environments.

Skills

Python programming

Quantitative analysis

Deep learning (PyTorch)

Education

PhD in atmospheric science or related field

Tools

PyTorch

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow

University of California Irvine

Academic Posting

Gudrun Magnusdottir in the Department of Earth System Science (ESS) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks a postdoctoral scholar to work on a research project that examines processes in the atmosphere and in ocean/atmosphere interactions that can lead to improved S2S (2-8 weeks) to seasonal (2-6 months) prediction of precipitation for the west to southwest United States. The work will be in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team consisting of an atmospheric/climate scientist (Dr. Yannick Peings, Associate Researcher ESS) as well as graduate and undergraduate students in ESS, and a computer scientist (Prof. Erik Sudderth, Departments of Computer Science and Statistics), and graduate and undergraduate computer science students who are developing novel prediction approaches by integrating deep generative models of the ocean and atmosphere.

Position/Project description

This is a two-year position that is renewable, pending good progress and funding. The salary will range from 69,073 to 82,836 USD per year, see Postdoctoral Salary Scale, and includes generous benefits, see Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits.

About ESS

The department of Earth System Science at UC Irvine is highly interdisciplinary. It includes 25-30 faculty members with broad expertise, all devoted to the study of the Earth as a coupled system.

Job location

This position is located in Irvine, CA, which is in Orange County, south of the diverse metropolitan area of Los Angeles and north of San Diego. Residents of Irvine enjoy a Mediterranean-type climate, and are surrounded by beaches, parks and mountains.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (required at the time of application)

• An expected or somewhat recent PhD in atmospheric science, or related fields; or a PhD in computer science, applied math, statistics, or related fields with demonstrated interest and publications in atmospheric/climate dynamics.
• Strong quantitative skills as well as detailed domain knowledge of teleconnections and climate patterns, both tropical and extratropical.
• Excellent programming skills including some experience with Python. Experience with deep learning software frameworks like PyTorch is preferred.
• Ability to manipulate and analyze large, and complex operational model output datasets, such as those collected from hindcasts or from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as evidenced by peer reviewed publications and presentations.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• The ideal candidate will also have some experience with running Global Climate Model experiments and/or AI-based weather prediction experiments using high-performance computing environments.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - a recently updated CV that includes publications and presentations.
• Cover Letter – 1 page maximum that describes immediate and long-term research goals.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

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
• APM - 035: Affine 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.

Application Window

Open date: September 15, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Oct 14, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 at 11:69pm (Pacific Time)