Job Details

Professional Research Assistant

Position Number: 6697484
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Professional Research Assistant

Requisition Number: 68384
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 25-Nov-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

Lab and project manager for wet-lab analyses and field planning, logistics and sampling. Additional duties include data analysis, figure creation, manuscript preparation, training and mentoring of students, and geospatial analysis of data. While this position would focus on the field and wet-lab side of the research group, having the ability to interface (or contribute to) the remote sensing research side of the lab group would be highly desired. Those activities include collection and analysis of multi- and hyperspectral imagery with UASs and spaceborne satellites. The hire would report directly to the PI who is managing multiple NSF and NASA-funded projects that focus on field, lab and remote sensing data analysis from diverse regions of the cryosphere such as the North Cascades, Greenland and Antarctica.
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

The Colorado CryoSensing' Research group is housed within the Aerospace Engineering Sciences department, Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research, with wet lab faculties in the Environmental Engineering program in the Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Laboratory (SEEL). Active NSF and NASA-funded awards focus snow and ice darkening in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Our research combines field-based sampling and wet-lab aquatic biogeochemical analyses to develop and validate algorithms applied to multi- and hyperspectral imagery collected on spaceborne satellites.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Organization, Processing and Analysis of snow and water samples

Develop and apply protocols for laboratory analysis with instrumentation described in (b).

Data Generation and Instrument Maintenance with appropriate data QA/QC (25%). Potential instrumentation for analysis includes:

Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography
LC-QTOF-MS (CU Core Facility)
Flowcytometry
Single Particle Soot Photometer
Routine water quality instrumentation (TOC, nutrients, etc)

Geospatial Analysis, Mapping, and Figure Creation

Use ArcGIS Pro and associated geospatial tools for raster-based analysis, spatial statistics, and cartographic visualization.
Integrate datasets (imagery, field observations, and ancillary GNSS and elevation data) into spatial analyses.
Generate figures and maps for publications and reports.
Preprocess, calibrate, and analyze multispectral and hyperspectral satellite and UAV imagery.
Derive quantitative products (e.g., reflectance indices, surface classification) for radiative forcing studies.
Maintain and organize large quantities of data.
Develop and adapt Python scripts to interface with and analyze remote sensing imagery.

Research Support and Documentation

Contributes to the preparation of scientific manuscripts, including drafting methods and results sections, generating figures, and assisting with revisions.
Conduct literature reviews to identify and apply relevant analytical methods.
Document processing workflows so work is reproducible and understandable.
Assist with annual report preparation for federally funded awards and field campaigns.

Field Sampling, Logistical Support and Planning

Maintain field equipment. Insure it is properly functioning prior to field campaigns and properly stored after field campaigns.
Determine permitting needs for UAV operations and assist with obtaining appropriate permits, as necessary.
Handle shipping of samples, field equipment, and hazardous cargo (i.e., samples stored with dry ice, drone batteries, large drone cases, etc).

What You Should Know

Willing to support a J1 visa sponsorship for the qualified candidate. Will NOT be able to support an H1B visa sponsorship for this appointment.
Target start date is February 1, 2026 but can be negotiated to start sooner for the qualified candidate.
Anticiaped end date: Two years, with the intent to extend pending available funding. The term will start with probationary period of 6 months.
Hybrid Work Eligibility and Communication: Regular duty tracking will be maintained through daily updates (i.e., progress demonstrated via shared documents) and weekly written updates to the PI. Regular virtual check-ins (email, or scheduled video calls). Reliable internet access required for communication and data transfer.

Cryospheric field experience.
Training, advising or mentoring experience of students in a research capacity.
Experience operating hyperspectral UAV systems.
Experience with geospatial and image processing software like ArcGIS, AgiSoft Metashape, and/or ENVI Familiarity with multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing, including UAV-based imaging systems.
Experience with raster analysis, spatial statistics, and geospatial data visualization.
Experience driving a small motorized water-craft in adverse weather conditions.

What We Can Offer

$45,000.00 - $85,000.00
Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering discipline with 2+ years experience, Masters or PhD preferred, with additional experience.
Demonstrated proficiency with generation, analysis, and maintenance of scientific instrumentation.
Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis, data visualization, and manuscript preparation and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Advanced proficiency with a scientific programming language for data visualization and figure creation such as Python, R, or Matlab.
Strong organizational skills and ability to independently manage large geospatial datasets.

What You Will Need

Knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be successful in the role.
Experience with water sampling and analysis, data QA/QC approaches, and sample analysis with a range of instruments.
The ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge using a scientific programming language like Python, R or Matlab for data visualization and figure creation.
Demonstrated ability to produce publishable results through co or lead-authorship on peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Ability to travel internationally and physically qualify (PQ) for fieldwork through the US Antarctic Program. A valid driver's license and the ability to lift 50 pounds.
Ability to potentially travel internationally and be away for weeks at a time.
The interest (or proven ability) to drive a small motorized boat to reach field sites in a polar environment.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover Letter.

(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of Degree: 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. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.

The position will remain open until 11/25/25.

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/Professional-Research-Assistant/68384