CIRES​/NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Associate Scientist in Electrical Engineering

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is seeking an Electrical Engineer to support the NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory’s (GML) Technology Transitions, Engineering, and Applications (TTEA) division. The position will initially support three specific efforts: the High-altitude Operational Returning Uncrewed System (HORUS), a balloon‑borne scientific package that includes a glider to return science payloads to a predetermined location;
Trace

AIR, the installation of the Measurements of Atmospheric Carbon and H2O (MACH) package aboard United Airlines commercial aircraft to measure trace gas atmospheric composition; and NOAA’s GHG Aircraft System for Light Aircraft (NGAS‑LA), a flexible yet robust instrument package for measuring greenhouse gases in targeted field studies across the globe. These projects have recently moved from conception to active deployment phase, and the position will help shape the trajectory of these ongoing programs.

A one‑year full‑time position is available, with the possibility for extension based on funding availability.

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 mission of the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) is to conduct research that addresses three major challenges: greenhouse gas and carbon cycle feedbacks, changes in clouds, aerosols and surface radiation, and stratospheric ozone recovery. The TTEA division aims to advance observing capabilities for direct measurements of atmospheric trace gases to enhance (a) global and regional scale carbon emissions and/or uptake detection, (b) model and satellite evaluation used to understand trends and variability of greenhouse gases and ozone‑depleting substances, and (c) the understanding of tropospheric and stratospheric composition feedbacks on Earth’s radiation budget in a changing climate.

The TTEA division develops, implements and/or transitions to operations new and innovative atmospheric observing platforms, instruments, and sampling techniques to fulfill this mission.

• Specify, design, develop, test, document, maintain and repair atmospheric sensors, trace gas measurement systems, or sampling equipment for ground, aircraft, balloon and/or unmanned system applications (50%).
• Deploy measurement systems to the field and provide ongoing technical support for field projects (20%).
• Provide input to collaborating scientists and partner organizations on engineering solutions for measurement needs (20%).
• Guide transition of new atmospheric observing technologies and/or platforms toward operational research applications (5%).
• Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).
• Please note that the above‑mentioned percentage weights will be adjusted for candidates hired in the Sr. Associate Scientist career track, to accommodate project management, including defining budgets and milestones, and supervision of junior personnel. Senior Associate Scientists will also lead IP application efforts, when appropriate, and participate in internal and external communication about technological advancements via presentations and written articles and white papers.