Job Details

CIRES/NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Radiation and Calibration Research Scientist

Position Number: 6461383
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Science - Physics

CIRES/NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Radiation and Calibration Research Scientist

Requisition Number: 66506
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 14-Aug-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), University of Colorado Boulder, has an opening for a senior research scientist within the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratories (ESRL) in Boulder, Colorado. The senior research scientist will provide scientific leadership in surface radiation budget observations, and the atmospheric parameters (e.g. aerosols and clouds) and processes that drive surface radiation variability. The candidate will have the appropriate knowledge base, experience, and leadership skills to guide and lead the next generation of scientists and drive the science of the division into the future. The researcher will work for the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be located at the NOAA, David Skaggs Research Center, Boulder, CO.

The researcher will work alongside federal and university employees engaged in research examining the Earth's surface radiation budget and climate forcing properties of atmospheric constituents from long-term U.S. surface radiation Networks as well as short-term field campaigns. This researcher will establish scientific connections across the community with GRAD by their experienced participation and leadership in national and international committees that guide standard processes and optimization of observational networks.
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.

Who We Are

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 Global Monitoring Laboratory's (GML) mission is to conduct research that addresses three major challenges: greenhouse gas and carbon cycle feedbacks; fundamental understanding between clouds, aerosols, and surface radiation; and recovery of stratospheric ozone.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Lead teams and drive the science in radiation, clouds, albedo, and aerosols in the GRAD Division at our Observatories and other networks. (20%)
Prepare and interpret collected radiation, cloud, albedo, and aerosol data-sets including analysis of solar variability and their role in societal challenges. Process and generate monthly radiation and cloud products using RadFlux Analysis software. Analyze multi-parameter data sets for satellite and model product improvements. (30%)
Evaluate and test innovative instrumentation, and development of new innovative technologies to ensure high quality data and products to meet societal challenges. (10%)
Lead teams to be effective in the development and implementation of modern radiation calibration methodology. (20%)
Present findings at scientific meetings and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Participate in international committees (e.g. BSRN, GEWEX) that drive the science and the consistency of radiation observations globally. (20%)

What You Should Know

This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder, but will be physically located in the NOAA ESRL David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305.
Applicants needing visa sponsorship now or in the future are not eligible for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to legally work in the United States on a full-time basis.
If you are the selected finalist, you will be required to successfully complete a federal background clearance process for site access.
Please contact Vanessa Caicedo (vanessa.caicedo@colorao.edu) for further information concerning this position.

What We Can Offer

CIRES offers a generous and comprehensive compensation package.
The annual hiring salary range for this position is $101,000- $143,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
This position offers a hybrid work environment with both on-site and remote work hours.
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 mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be empowered. Be visionary. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Ph.D. degree in Physics.
Includes 12+ years of post-doctoral research experience.
Statistics experience and strong programming, preferably in Matlab.
Experience developing retrieval algorithms for cloud properties from a suite of instrumentation.

What You Will Need

Strong familiarity with the calibration and operation of radiometers and operation of cloud observing systems.
Proven capability for self-guided, motivated, and original research as documented by several first-authored publications. Strong record of leading funded research projects.
Strong record of participating in international committees and leading conference sessions in radiation and cloud topics.
Proven leadership managing long-term observational networks, particularly shortwave and longwave radiation measurements, including the skills needed to maintain continuity and analyze data accurately.
Expertise in public communication of scientific results and concepts to various stakeholders.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
If you are identified as a finalist, the search committee will request a letter recommendation at a later time.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

This position will close August 14, 2025.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NOAA-Global-Monitoring-Laboratory-Radiation-and-Calibration-Research-Scientist/66506