Job Details

CIRES/NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory Research Scientist in Radiation, Cloud, and Boundary Layer Observations

Position Number: 6461382
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

CIRES/NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory Research Scientist in Radiation, Cloud, and Boundary Layer Observations

Requisition Number: 66511
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 14-Aug-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder, has an opening for a research scientist within the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratories (ESRL) in Boulder, Colorado. The researcher will develop scientific insights into the radiative effects of clouds and will have a strong understanding of the impacts of radiative fluxes on boundary layer dynamics that influence winds and cloud formation. This researcher will lead a team in field campaigns in areas related to energy fluxes and boundary layer analysis. This person will also be responsible for ensuring the reliability of incoming radiation data, daily QA/QC of radiation data, generating a cloud-type product, and daily checks of ceilometer data. Scientific responsibilities include improving our understanding of changes in the Arctic environment and wildfire-weather. For wildfire-weather, this includes processes that influence fire development and spread, and post-fire effects on the land surface.

This scientist will work for the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be located at the NOAA David Skaggs Research Center, Boulder, CO. The identified finalist will work alongside federal and university employees engaged in research examining the Earth's surface radiation budget and climate forcing properties of atmospheric constituents from short-term field campaigns as well as long-term U.S. surface radiation, aerosol, and cloud networks.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people's relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth's poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

The Global Monitoring Laboratory's (GML) mission is to conduct research that addresses three major challenges: greenhouse gas and carbon cycle feedbacks; fundamental understanding between clouds, aerosols, and surface radiation; and recovery of stratospheric ozone.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Scientifically lead the interpretation of radiation and cloud data-sets and analysis of the role of radiative fluxes, energy balance, and their feedbacks in boundary layer processes in varied terrain, e.g. Arctic, Mountain, Forest. This requires analysis of multi-parameter data sets, interacting with other investigators including observationalists and modelers. (30%)
Daily QA/QC of crucial GML radiation and cloud observations. Develop code and processes to create a cloud-type product with existing observations and applying this to GML data. (25%)
Lead a team of scientists and technicians for field campaigns with GML GRAD's observational suite of radiative fluxes, cloud products, and meteorological parameters. Participate in field campaigns and deployment of instrumentation. (25%)
In addition to the duties identified above, within CIRES/NOAA GML, a Research Scientist will also conduct original research, seek external funding, and provide outreach, education, and service activities, present findings at scientific meetings and publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals. (20%)

What You Should Know

This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically located in the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305.
Applicants needing visa sponsorship now or in the future are not eligible for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to legally work in the United States on a full-time basis.
If you are the selected finalist, you will be required to successfully complete a federal background clearance process for site access.
Please contact Vanessa Caicedo (vanessa.caicedo@colorao.edu) for further information concerning this position.

What We Can Offer

CIRES offers a generous and comprehensive compensation package.
The annual hiring salary range for this position is $89,500- $118,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be Boulder. Be innovative. Be Boulder.

What We Require

PhD degree in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography or a related field.
At least 10 years of research experience beyond the PhD degree.

What You Will Need

Strong familiarity with the operation of radiation, cloud, and PBLH observing systems (e.g. radiometers, ceilometers).
Strong familiarity with Arctic Research.
Strong record of funded research.
Proven capability for self-guided, motivated, and original research as documented by several first-authored publications.
Record of successful completion of 5 or more field campaigns.
Record of collaboration with multiple research groups and projects as required by the science.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
If you are identified as a finalist for this role, we will request professional references at a later time.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

This position will be closed on August 14, 2025.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NOAA-Global-Monitoring-Laboratory-Research-Scientist-in-Radiation-Cloud-and-Boundary-Layer-Observations/66511