CIRES/ NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, Space Weather Scientist
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Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CU CIRES) invites applications for a full-time Research Scientist position at NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). The successful applicant will work to evaluate the influence of commercial radio occultation data on the quality of SWPC ionospheric models, products, and services.
SWPC is involved in NOAA’s Commercial Data Program (CDP) and Space Weather Data Pilot (SWDP), which is assessing the viability of commercial radio occultation (RO) data for space weather specifications and forecasts. Products derived from the radio occultation data include ionospheric total electron content, electron density profiles, scintillation amplitude, and scintillation phase. The goal of this effort is to compare the data products obtained from the commercial vendor-provided radio occultation satellites with ground-based and space-based environmental measurements, to compare with output from SWPC’s numerical models, to test the ingest of the vendor-provided products in SWPC’s models, and to participate in the development of new ionosphere products and models, particularly the GloTEC real-time 3D electron density Gauss-Markov Kalman filter data assimilation model.
The successful candidate will work with a small team at SWPC to acquire and manage the ionospheric radio occultation data products from multiple vendors, acquire and manage data from numerous world-wide ground-based and space-based sources, compare the vendor-provided radio occultation products with environmental data and model output and participate in the improvement of existing products and the creation of new products.
The work also requires the drafting of reports that address the viability of the commercial data for space weather products. This project will have a duration of one year, with a possibility of renewal for a second year depending on performance and availability of funds.
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 950 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.
As part of NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) operates 24/7 to provide real-time monitoring and forecasting of solar and geophysical events, which impact satellites, power grids, communications, navigation, and other technological systems. SWPC customers include the general public, industry and government agencies.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Evaluate the impact of commercial radio occultation data on ionospheric models and products by quantitatively comparing these data with satellite measurements (e.g., GNSS RO, in-situ plasma density), ground-based observations (e.g., ionosonde soundings, GNSS TEC, S4, Sigma Phi), and numerical model outputs (34%)
- Develop software tools that conduct periodic checks of the data products being
- Provided (33%)
- Document the suitability of the commercially available ionospheric data products for space weather specification and forecast products (33%)
What You Should Know
- Access to the NOAA Federal Center and computer facilities is necessary to perform the work of this position. Access is not available for individuals working in the United States through a visa or working permit and therefore we are unable to consider applications from individuals on a visa or working permit, or requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future.
- Applicants must be currently authorized to legally work in the United States on a full-time basis.
- 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.
- If you are selected as a finalist, you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access.
What We Can Offer
- CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
- The annual hiring salary range for this position is $74,933 - $135,896. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
- Some relocation funds are available for this position to off-set moving expenses following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
- We can offer a hybrid work modality.
- 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. Boulder was recently ranked as one of the top places to live in the U.S. by U.S. News.
- 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
Be Statements
What We Require
- A PhD degree in a related field is required. Candidates will be employed at the CIRES Research Scientist (RS) career track.
- Experience with programming languages (e.g., Python), code development in the Windows and/or Unix environment, and code source control and documentation.
- Experience developing high-quality and insightful visualization of scientific datasets.
What You Will Need
- Familiarity with ground-based and space-based ionospheric data (e.g., GNSS RO).
- Familiarity with scientific data analysis, model-data comparison and scientific visualization.
- Ability to implement algorithms as computer code using Python (or similar).
- Familiarity with both compiled and run-time programming languages.
- Ability to think critically and make independent decisions.
- Strong communication skills demonstrated either through peer-reviewed articles and oral presentations to audiences with widely varying degrees of sophistication/expertise, or through technical documents.
- A willingness to work effectively in a team environment and to contribute to a diverse and inclusive workforce at the University of Colorado Boulder and NOAA/SWPC.
What We Would Like You to Have
Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.
- Familiarity with the impacts of the ionosphere on operational systems in the area of radio wave communication.
- Knowledge of GNSS theory, hardware, and software.
- Knowledge of the ionosphere’s impact on radio frequency signal propagation (refraction, phase and amplitude scintillation, phase delay).
- Experience using and comparing different scintillation indices (ROTI, S4, sj, carrier to noise, etc.).
- Familiarity in modern software management paradigms and tools e.g., git, Docker.
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 how this position aligns with your research interests.
- If you are identified as a finalist for this role we will request professional references at a later time. We will use Crosschq, a digital reference check solution. All references will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.
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 posting will close on January 15th, 2025.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: George Millward
Posting Contact Email: george.millward@noaa.gov