Assistant Professor in Planetary Science

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California invites applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor Faculty position in Planetary Science. We seek candidates who are interested in advancing our scientific knowledge of the origin and history of our solar system and the potential for past or present life beyond Earth, building on our existing strengths in astrobiology. The successful candidate will pursue laboratory, numerical, and/or field investigations of the habitability, survivability, and detectability of life on other planets and icy moons. These goals may be achieved through study of Earth analog field sites, ground, and/or space-based observations, and/or through laboratory or numerical simulation of surface and/or interior planetary conditions, among other possibilities. We are particularly interested in candidates with current involvement or potential for involvement in current or future planetary missions. The successful candidate will have access to facilities through the University of California Observatories, including the Keck telescopes located in Hawaii. This position will start on July 1, 2025.

Research in the UCR Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences spans a broad range of topics, including Earth dynamics and history, planets inside and outside of our solar system, and life in the universe. Students and faculty investigate planetary, geological, oceanographic, atmospheric, interior, and orbital dynamical processes operating at a wide range of spatial and temporal scales across many disciplines within the Earth and planetary sciences. We are entering an unprecedented era of planetary exploration within and outside of our solar system. Upcoming planetary missions will explore asteroid compositions and origins, the structure and volatile inventory of icy moons, and samples returned from Mars, and unveil the atmospheric and interior evolution of Venus. Meanwhile, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is revolutionizing the study of both exoplanet atmospheres and space-based remote observations of solar system bodies. In the midst of these advances, our department has made significant leaps in developing expertise in planetary atmospheres, exoplanet observation, astrobiology, and extrapolations of lessons learned from Earth’s co-evolving life and environments to worlds beyond. The hiring of a planetary scientist will be a vital asset to the department by expanding our capabilities while bridging to the current strengths within the faculty. This search is particularly relevant in light of the recent Planetary Science and Astrobiology decadal report that emphasized studies and mission support for efforts aimed toward planetary habitability and the search for life in the universe.

The UC salary consists of a base pay of $74,600 to $97,200 for Assistant Professors and additional off-scale to be commensurate with market value, qualifications and experiences. The off-scale portion of the salary will be maintained as long as satisfactory academic progress is made. Additionally, the off-scale will be maintained subject to market adjustments to the UC salary scale.

Basic qualifications for this position that must be met by the date of application include: Ph.D. or equivalent degree in planetary sciences, astronomy, astrobiology, or a related field, Demonstrated excellence in research and demonstrated (or the clear potential for) excellence in teaching.

Preferred qualifications for this position include: Demonstrated success in fellowship and/or grant writing. Experience in supervising the research of undergraduate and/or graduate students. Experience in assisting teaching and/or leading teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. Involvement, or potential for involvement, in planetary science and related missions.

Advancement through the Assistant Professor ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years each of which includes substantial peer input.