Postbaccalaureate Fellows in Community-Based Earth and Environmental Science Research

Position Overview

University of California Irvine
Postbaccalaureate Fellows in Community-Based Earth and Environmental Science Research

Salary range: $55,000 - $58,600

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.

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.

• 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.

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.).

• Curriculum Vitae or resume that includes: personal information (name, email, phone, address); 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.
• 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:
  Please…