Cosmochemistry Assistant Specialist

Position overview
Position title: Planetary Assistant Specialist (Assistant Specialist)
Salary range: A reasonable estimate for a full-time annual salary for this position is $70,000.

Percent time: Variable, 50% - 100% time.

Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.

Position duration: Initial appointment will be for one year, with the possibility of reappointment. Should the hiring unit propose reappointment; a review to assess performance will be conducted. Reappointment is also contingent upon the availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: May 30, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Jun 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Aug 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.

Position Description


The Telus Lab in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for a Planetary Assistant Specialist.

Under the supervision of Associate Professor Myriam Telus, the assistant specialist will conduct data analysis for optical and electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, (or related techniques) of primitive meteorites. The positions duties include substantial writing; data analyses, including statistical analyses; and computer modeling. This position requires meeting weekly with the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Myriam Telus, to assess progress toward project goals defined by the PI. This position may require some domestic travel. The corresponding business-related travel expenses will be covered by the hiring unit.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.



UCSC Earth and Planetary Sciences Department: https://eps.ucsc.edu


Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)

• Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in earth and planetary sciences, or a related field such as geochemistry, geophysics and seismology, astrophysics, etc.
• A minimum of five years experience with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) data collection and data analyses.
• A minimum of five years experience with meteorite sample preparation for EBSD analyses.
• A minimum of five years experience with optical microscopy data collection and data analyses.
• A minimum of five years experience with isotope geochemistry data collection and data analyses.
• Demonstrated experience publishing research articles (at least one publication must be in a scientific journal on the subject of petrology or geochemistry of meteorites).
• Demonstrated experience with implementation of statistical modeling.

Application Requirements


Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., including three professional references along with their contact information. The search committee will contact the references of those applicants who are under serious consideration.
  
• Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
  
• Statement of Research (Optional)
  
Statement of Teaching (Optional)

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02111

Help contact: amylkorn@ucsc.edu

About UC Santa Cruz


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 applicants 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
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

The University of California 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.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

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.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz


Job location

Santa Cruz, CA


To apply, visit https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF02111

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