CIRES​/Postdoctoral Scientist in Microphysics and Radar Meteorology

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences(CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) is seeking a Postdoctoral Scientist to conduct research on cloud microphysics and precipitation processes using ground-based radar observations! The candidate will work on a dataset that was collected with the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Mobile Facility for the Surface Atmosphere Integrated Field Laboratory(SAIL) campaign near Gothic, CO, in the Rocky Mountains.

By enhancing the understanding of cloud and precipitation processes, this research is expected to advance the fundamental understanding of processes governing snowpack evolution and the transfer of atmospheric water into streamflow. The candidate will primarily work on combining advanced radar data analysis with other observational analyses to study microphysical processes relevant for snow generation.

The candidate will work with the project lead at CIRES and colleagues at the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences(ATOC) at CU Boulder. The group at ATOC consists of mid-career scientists, graduate and undergraduate students, and post-docs. The candidate will be located within the ATOC department and will be part of the post-doc community. This community does foster research exchange as well as career-building opportunities.

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.

CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. 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 Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences(ATOC) is an interdisciplinary program that provides an educational and research environment to examine the dynamical, physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere, ocean and land surface, and the manner in which they interact. A major theme is the establishment of a physical basis for understanding, observing and modeling climate and global change.

This position will focus on determining microphysical and thermodynamical processes in orographic precipitation relevant for governing snowpack related to the SAIL and SPLASH experiments. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Analyzing remote sensing observations from vertically-pointing and scanning radars to determine spatial and temporal evolution of clouds and precipitation (30%).
• Applying state-of-the-art and developing new analysis techniques (20%).
• Combining remote-sensing observations with other in-situ observations to further bridge the gap between microphysical processes in clouds and precipitation at the surface (20%).
• Dissemination of research results through conference presentations and journal articles (25%).
• Conducting and leading regular meetings with the research group and SAIL and SPLASH science groups (5%).

• This is an 8-month term position.
• The position will be rostered at the Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (ATOC) facility at the University of Colorado Boulder campus.
• Given project deliverables and deadlines, candidates must be able to begin work by December 1, 2026. The appointment is scheduled to end on July 31, 2027.
• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this role. Candidates requiring visa sponsorship are not eligible for hire.

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary for this position is $65,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career-track classification.
• This position can accommodate a hybrid (in-office and at-home) work modality.
• An opportunity to conduct research with innovative radar observations to advance the fundamental understanding of processes governing snowpack evolution in the Rocky Mountains and the transfer of atmospheric water into streamflow in support of research on water availability and accessibility during the ongoing drought and water shortage in the Western US.
• 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…