CIRES​/NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Research Scientist in Satellite Data Assimilation

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) encourages applications for a Research Scientist in Satellite Data Assimilation and Atmospheric Chemistry Model Development within NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, Colorado. The successful candidate will work in the Atmospheric Composition Modeling (ACM) program alongside a number of federal and university employees engaged in research developing the satellite data assimilation framework for global air quality forecasting based on NOAA’s Unified Forecast System with Chemistry (UFS-Chem) model.

Our group consists of scientists at all career stages working together to evaluate the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) atmospheric composition satellite products, advance UFS-Chem model capability and development, and integrate validated satellite observations into UFS-Chem via a data assimilation system. CSL has a highly collaborative work culture, and we are looking for a candidate who actively subscribes to this philosophy.

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 Atmospheric Composition Modeling Program within NOAA’s Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) conducts research on atmospheric composition and its controlling processes aimed at improving models of air quality, weather prediction and reanalysis. Researchers use atmospheric models and observations collected on the ground, in the air, and from space to develop and evaluate innovative ways of describing and simulating the emissions, transport, and chemical evolution of atmospheric gases and aerosols at regional to global scales.

• Develops and validates atmospheric chemical-transport models for both research and operational applications, including development of the Configurable ATmospheric Chemistry (CATChem) library (30%).
• Incorporates the Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration (JEDI) framework for satellite data assimilation into the UFS-Chem atmospheric chemistry model (30%).
• Updates fire emissions to be used in UFS-Chem to improve model performance at simulating ozone and aerosols produced from fires (25%).
• Evaluates UFS-Chem model output against in situ and satellite observations and publishes new scientific findings in the peer-reviewed literature (10%).
• Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).

• This is a 2-year appointment with the possibility of extension.
• Candidates must be able to successfully complete federal clearance and start work by October 1, 2026.
• This position does not offer visa sponsorship. Given project deliverables and the need for federal clearance, candidates working in the U.S through a visa or working permit are not eligible for this role.
• This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, on a federal research campus.
• Domestic or international conference travel is required for approximately 1-3 times per year.
• Occasional field campaign support may…