Research Scientist (Lead)

Under supervision of the Land and Climate Science Section (LCSS) Air Resources Supervisor I (ARSI), the Staff Air Pollution Specialist (SAPS) will lead comprehensive research projects to improve our understanding of direct and indirect interactions among air quality, climate, and natural and working lands (NWL) at the state, national, and international levels. The SAPS will focus on advancing methodologies for tracking greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reductions, carbon sequestration, and other co-benefits from NWL. This work is essential for demonstrating progress toward the 2045 carbon neutrality target. The SAPS will work closely with program divisions working on emission inventories, nature-based climate solutions (e.g., carbon sequestration), regulatory ambient air monitoring (e.g. emergent toxics and particulate matter (PM2.5)), regional air quality modeling, and community air protection to support programs surrounding Assembly Bill (AB) 1757, AB 617, the Scoping Plan, and the State Implementation Plans. The SAPS will work closely with diverse interested parties, including the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Research topics will evolve based on the agency’s research needs, offering an opportunity to inform and support CARB programs. The SAPS is expected to use effective communication to build strong internal and external partnerships to formulate impactful research that aids state programs and advances science nationally and internationally. Additional duties include stakeholder engagement, contract management, research planning, writing reports, data analysis, presentations to technical and non-technical stakeholders, and travel may be required.

Candidates should have experience using common open-source scientific programming languages such as R or Python to perform quality control environmental data. Candidates should have knowledge of process-based models in NWL (e.g., Regional Hydro-Ecologic Simulation System (RHYSSys), Cohort Wetlands Equilibrium Model (CWEM), Peatland Ecosystem Photosynthesis Respiration and Methane Transport (PEPRMT), DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC), Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerolsols from Nature (MEGAN)-Berkeley-Dalhousie Soil NOx Parameterization (BDNSP), Simplified Photosynthesis and Evapotranspiration (SIPNET) or other process-based models). Candidates should have experience working on high performance computing systems in a Linux-based environment or the equivalent. Candidates will be expected to learn and contribute to development of existing and new models. They will also be expected to maintain clean, well-documented, reproducible code bases for their work. Communication with internal and external stakeholders will be an important part of the position, and candidates will be expected to lead coordination with project stakeholders during the project planning stages. Candidates should be able to synthesize their work into clear, concise presentations and reports tailored to various audiences. They should have experience publishing scientific, peer-reviewed literature and drafting research proposals.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required. 

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.
 

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.) 
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
• Must be able to move/transport equipment and boxes weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Site visits will be rare/very infrequent. The sites will be outdoors and could include conditions found in any of California's Natural and Working Lands.