CIRES / NCEI Space Plasma and Energetic Particles Data Analyst
Requisition Number:
Location:
City
State
Employment Type:
Schedule:
Posting Close Date:
Date Posted:
Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder has an immediate opening for an Associate Scientist supporting NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). This position is for a Space Plasma and Energetic Particles Instrument Data Analyst in NCEI’s Solar and Terrestrial Physics (STP) Group. The STP group works to ensure that current and future space weather sensors on NOAA satellites provide effective operational products for use by the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). STP’s overall responsibilities also include providing spacecraft engineers and the scientific community access to NOAA’s space environment data.
The Space Plasma and Energetic Particles Instrument Data Analyst will work with the instrument science team to develop, implement and test ground processing algorithms for NWS. They will also perform analysis contributing to on-orbit calibration and validation of NOAA's space-based particle sensors, including analysis of data from NOAA’s GOES-R series and SWFO-L1 satellites. The GOES-R series particle detectors monitor plasma and energetic particles in the Earth’s magnetosphere, including the Radiation Belts and Solar Energetic Particle events. SWFO-L1 includes a complement of space weather sensors that monitor the sun. The SWFO-L1 satellite is scheduled for launch in March 2025.
Who We Are
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.
The NCEI STP space weather team is responsible for oversight of the NOAA space weather sensors on several satellite constellations, including GOES, DSCOVR, and SWFO. These missions provide data critical for the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) efforts to protect life and property, as well as to the broader scientific community. The space weather team’s responsibilities include calibration and validation of space weather measurements and data products, development of scientific processing algorithms used in real time to produce data for forecasters, development of retrospective algorithms to create scientifically authoritative (‘best’) products, and prototyping real-time processing systems.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Perform analysis contributing to on-orbit calibration and validation of NOAA's space-based particle sensors (40%)
- Assist with the development, implementation and testing of particle detector ground processing algorithms used by NWS-SWPC (30%)
- Work with the instrument science team to diagnose and correct instrument and ground processing anomalies in space-based particle detector data (15%)
- Document modifications to existing algorithms and descriptions of new algorithms (10%)
- Report analysis results to the instrument science and development teams at weekly meetings (5%)
- More senior associate scientists may be asked to take leadership duties, overseeing projects or supervising other employees
What You Should Know
- Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylum, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
- If you are the selected finalist, you will be required to successfully complete a federal background clearance process for site access.
- 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.
What We Can Offer
- CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
- The annual hiring salary range for this position is $57,942 - $101,555.
- Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
- Relocation funds are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
- This position can accommodate 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
Bachelor's degree in science or engineering plus 2 years work in a related field,
Or
a Master’s degree in science or engineering
- Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply to this position.
What You Will Need
- Excellent analytical skills
- Expertise with numerical analysis methods
- Expertise in scientific code development in Python
- Strong algorithm development skills and proficiency in high-level programming
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and capacity for working in a team environment
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.
- Experience in space sciences
- Experience in geophysical time series data analysis
- Familiarity with NOAA’s satellite programs
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. Please note that a cover letter is mandatory and applicants who do not submit this document at the time of application will not be considered.
- Although not required at the time of application, please be ready to offer contact information for 3 professional references who can be contacted on your behalf if you are identified as a finalist for this role. At least one of those references will be asked to write a letter of recommendation for you in support of your application.
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 (if applicable) as an optional attachment.
The position will close December 2, 2024.
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: Brian Kress
Posting Contact Email: brian.kress@noaa.gov