Job Details

CIRES / NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Research Scientist in Reactive Nitrogen and Ozone Measurements

Position Number: 7113876
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Science - Chemistry

CIRES / NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Research Scientist in Reactive Nitrogen and Ozone Measurements

Requisition Number: 71501
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 29-Apr-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder encourages applications for a Research Scientist position within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, Colorado. This role will contribute to the Tropospheric Chemistry Program, working alongside federal and university employees engaged in research investigating trace gases and aerosol particles and their impacts on air quality and climate. Our group develops and deploys world-class instrumentation to measure these species in the field on stationary and mobile research platforms, including research aircraft.

The successful candidate will join the CIRES and NOAA CSL Tropospheric Chemistry Program to investigate the chemistry and distribution of reactive nitrogen species and ozone in the troposphere. This work will support the Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS) 2026 field campaign, a major multi-institutional effort to improve understanding of ozone formation and air quality in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The position will focus on measurements of total reactive nitrogen (NOy) and ozone (O) using advanced in situ instrumentation deployed on research aircraft and other observational platforms. The Research Scientist will participate in the preparation, deployment, and operation of instrumentation during field studies. Following field operations, they will analyze the resulting datasets to investigate nitrogen oxide chemistry, ozone production, and the role of reactive nitrogen reservoirs in controlling atmospheric oxidation and air quality. The work will involve collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and may include comparisons with chemical transport models and emissions inventories. This position will involve domestic travel for field deployments and scientific meetings, potentially totaling up to three months per year during intensive field operations.

CSL has a collaborative lab culture, and we are looking for a candidate who actively subscribes to this philosophy. Successful candidates will demonstrate competency and sensitivity in working in a wide-ranging community.
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

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.

In the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) of NOAA, researchers develop and use instruments to make scientifically valuable atmospheric measurements, conduct laboratory experiments, design and execute field missions, analyze observations, and use sophisticated computer models to better understand how our changing atmosphere is influencing climate - and therefore people.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Independently operate, calibrate, and maintain custom and commercial analyzers for measuring atmospheric trace gases, including nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO), total reactive nitrogen (NOy), and ozone (O). Assist in maintaining associated calibration systems and supporting instrumentation in both laboratory and field environments. (30%)
Support the deployment of these instruments on airborne research platforms and other field measurement sites, including participation in the Texas Air Quality Study (TexAQS) 2026 field campaign. Deployments involve travel to field locations for several weeks at a time. (20%)
Analyze and interpret data collected by these instruments and others during the field campaign and laboratory experiments. This requires interpretation of multi-parameter data sets, and interaction with other instrument investigators. (20%)
Present research findings at scientific meetings and publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. (20%)
As needed, collaborate with team members to develop and improve measurement and calibration capabilities for reactive nitrogen and ozone instrumentation in support of future field and airborne studies. (10%)

What You Should Know

The targeted start date for the appointment is May 15, 2026.
This is a 2-year position with the possibility of extension based on availability of funding.
Up to 10 weeks of domestic travel for aircraft integration and the deployment phase is anticipated within the first year of employment.
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.
If you are the selected finalist, you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access. Non-US citizens without green cards may have limited building access and require an escort in the building.
Contact Michael Robinson (michael.a.robinson@colorado.edu) for further information concerning the science and research challenges of this position.

What We Can Offer

CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
The annual starting salary for this position is $72,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career-track classification.
This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
The University of Colorado Boulder offers 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 will have free access to the regional public transit system, an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that service Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be driven. Be professional. Be Boulder.

What We Require

A Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field is required.
Experience with the operation and maintenance of complex instrumentation in a laboratory or field environment.
Experience in experimental physical sciences and data analysis.
Experience with data processing and analysis software such as IGOR, MATLAB, R, or Python; and publishing and presentation software such as Microsoft Office and PowerPoint.
Experience with data interpretation for the presentation of scientific results at meetings and in scientific journals.

What You Will Need

Knowledge of and experience with the operation and/or maintenance of complex instrumentation to make observations in the atmosphere.
Capability for self-guided, motivated, and original research.
Ability to work well with other researchers and support staff in a wide-ranging and collaborative research environment.
Ability to perform required duties associated with field deployments in support of the airborne TexAQS 2026 mission.
Commitment to supporting a comprehensive laboratory.
The ability to work in a team and participate in the development of original research projects.

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.
Although it is not needed at the time of application, please be ready to submit contact information for 1 letter of recommendation.

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 be posted until April 29, 2026.

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-Chemical-Sciences-Laboratory-Research-Scientist-in-Reactive-Nitrogen-and-Ozone-Measurements/71501