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 withinNOAA’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 universityemployees engaged in research developing the satellite dataassimilation framework for global air quality forecasting based onNOAA’s Unified Forecast System with Chemistry (UFS-Chem) model.

Ourgroup 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-Chemmodel capability and development, and integrate validated satelliteobservations into UFS-Chem via a data assimilation system. CSL hasa highly collaborative work culture, and we are looking for acandidate 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 islocated 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 theplanet. 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 Earthsciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring asustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societalunderstanding of the Earth system.

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

• Develops and validates atmospheric chemical-transport modelsfor 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-Chematmospheric 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 satelliteobservations and publishes new scientific findings in thepeer-reviewed literature (10%).
• Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).

• This is a 2-year appointment with the possibility ofextension.
• Candidates must be able to successfully complete federalclearance and start work by October 1, 2026.
• This position does not offer visa sponsorship. Given project deliverables and the need for federal clearance, candidates workingin the U.S through a visa or working permit are not eligible forthis 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 afederal research campus.
• Domestic or international conference travel is required for approximately 1-3 times per year.
• Occasional field campaign support may be required for approximately 1-2 times per year.