CIRES ​/ Chu Research Group, Postdoctoral Associate in Atmosphere-Space Lidar and Ionosphere-Thermosphere-Mesosphere

Postdoctoral Associate

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder encourages applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in the Chu Research Group. This role will conduct interdisciplinary research using advanced resonance-fluorescence lidar observations and physics-based numerical modeling to investigate thermosphere-ionosphere metal (TIMt) layers and the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) system. This position supports the Chu Research Group's long-term observational programs at Boulder, Colorado and McMurdo Station, Antarctica, with the goal of advancing the fundamental understanding of plasma-neutral coupling, atmospheric dynamics, meteoric metal transport, and upper-atmospheric variability across multiple spatial and temporal scales.

This role will integrate long-term lidar observations with the development and application of regional TIMt models to investigate the physical processes governing metallic neutral and ion layers over both polar and midlatitude regions. Research activities will include scientific analysis of atmospheric observations, numerical model development, comparison with whole-atmosphere and ionospheric models, publication of results in leading peer-reviewed journals, presentation of research at national and international scientific conferences, and collaboration with researchers across the atmospheric and space science communities.

The position also provides opportunities to contribute to the continued development of advanced lidar instrumentation, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and participate in field campaigns and proposal development. This research directly contributes to improving our understanding of upper-atmospheric coupling processes and supports national priorities in atmospheric and space weather research.

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 Chu Research Group is an internationally recognized leader in the development and application of resonance-fluorescence lidar technologies for atmospheric and space physics research. The group pioneers advanced lidar instrumentation and long-term observational studies of the middle and upper atmosphere, providing unique measurements of temperature, winds, and meteoric metal species from the mesosphere to the lower thermosphere.

The group operates world-class lidar systems in Boulder, Colorado, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica, one of the longest-running resonance-fluorescence lidar programs in the Antarctic. These unique observational facilities enable investigations of atmospheric dynamics, plasma-neutral coupling, thermosphere-ionosphere-mesosphere (ITM) interactions, meteoric metal layers, gravity waves, tides, planetary waves, and long-term atmospheric variability across a wide range of latitudes.

Through the integration of innovative lidar technologies, long-term observations, numerical modeling, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the Chu Research Group advances the fundamental understanding of Earth's upper atmosphere and contributes to national and international efforts in atmospheric science, space weather research, and the development of next-generation remote sensing capabilities.

• Conduct independent research on thermosphere-ionosphere metal (TIMt) layers, the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) system, and their long-term changes and physical mechanisms using resonance-fluorescence lidar observations from Boulder, Colorado and McMurdo, Antarctica, numerical modeling, and interdisciplinary scientific analysis. Publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. (30%)
• Develop, improve, and apply physics-based regional TIMt models and integrate observational results with whole-atmosphere and ionospheric models to advance the understanding of upper-atmospheric processes. Publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at…