Postdoctoral Scholar Photon Informed Ecology Lab Geography Department

Position Overview

Position title:

Postdoctoral Scholar

Salary range: $69,073.00 - $80,000.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start:
June 1st, 2026 or later

Position duration: 2 years

Open date:
February 24, 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:
Friday, May 1, 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 Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara seeks to hire a qualified candidate for a postdoctoral scholar to join Zoe Pierrat's Photon Informed Ecology Lab (PIE Lab).

The postdoctoral scholar will engage in research at the intersection of remote sensing, ecosystem science, and climate-ecosystem interactions and will contribute to projects focused on multi-scale observations of ecosystem carbon and water fluxes.

The position is well-suited for a candidate seeking to develop independent research ideas aligned with one or more of the following PIE lab themes:

• Remote sensing of vegetation stress and function:
  Integrating remote sensing data across scales to diagnose changes in plant physiological status, water use, productivity, and resilience under heat and drought stress.
• Methodological development of remote sensing data products:
  Including cross-sensor harmonization, uncertainty characterization of existing metrics, algorithmic improvement for ET and GPP products, and development of novel remote sensing products.
• Leveraging remote sensing for societally relevant applications:
  Using remote sensing data products and derived data products to inform water resource management, land‑use planning, climate adaptation strategies, or other environmental decision making.

This position is well suited for candidates interested in leveraging remote sensing data across scales (i.e., proximal‑airborne‑satellite) and harmonizing data from spaceborne instruments including ECOSTRESS, Orbiting Carbon Observatory, EMIT, GEDI, among others.

The appointee may work on one or multiple ongoing lab projects, depending on interests and past experience, and collaborate with researchers across campus in ecological modeling, plant physiology, hydrology, environmental science and management, mechanical engineering, computer science, among others.

The postdoctoral scholar will also be encouraged to take advantage of professional development opportunities available at UC Santa Barbara and through collaborations, meeting attendance, management workshop participation, etc.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must have completed all requirements for a PhD degree in Geography or a related discipline except the dissertation at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Applicant must hold a PhD in Earth Systems Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Ecology, Biology, Atmospheric Science, or a related field by time of appointment (June 1, 2026 or later).
• Applicant must hold a valid US driver’s license. (Candidate will be involved with fieldwork which will require driving out to Sedgwick Reserve).

Preferred qualifications

• Prior research experience in one or more of the following: collection of proximal remote sensing data; conducting field research, particularly leading and planning field excursions; analysis of satellite or airborne remote sensing data; processing ecosystem flux data.
• Familiarity with carbon‑water coupling, vegetation physiology, drought impacts, land‑atmosphere interactions, or plant pathology.
• Interest in interdisciplinary research that connects ecosystem science with societal or environmental decision‑making.
• Prior experience mentoring students or contributing to collaborative research teams.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills/experience.

• Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated CV.
• Cover Letter.
• Statement of Research (optional). 2-4 page statement of research outlining previous work, goals for…