CIRES/ NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Post-Doctoral Associate in AI/ ML Methane Modeling
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Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science (CIRES) and the NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) in Boulder, Colorado, announce a postdoctoral opportunity to study natural methane fluxes (ex., soil methane oxidation) using advanced Artificial-Intelligence/Machine-Learning techniques. The successful candidate will be working at NOAA GML with scientists in the Carbon Cycle and Greenhouse Gases Group (https://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/) and will also join a DOE-funded multi-institutional team with the University of Minnesota, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of Illinois Chicago, and Yale University.
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.
The Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates long-term observing systems of atmospheric carbon, water vapor, ozone, ozone-depleting substances, aerosols, radiation and clouds, and develops new observing, analytical and modeling capabilities to enable a process understanding of past and future changes.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Synthesizing direct measurements of natural methane fluxes from the FLUXNET-CH4 and chamber datasets and indirect measurements of global soil temperature and moisture.
- Developing a knowledge-guided machine-learning (KGML) model by setting the hierarchical structure of machine-learning modules based on process-based understanding and setting knowledge-guided loss functions.
- Training the KGML model with advanced machine-learning techniques and extrapolating the model using transfer learning to global scales.
- Leading and contributing to the publication on estimating global natural methane using KGML.
- Presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
What You Should Know
- This is a 2-year appointment.
- Given project deliverables, the targeted start date for this appointment is December 1st, 2023.
- This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder, but will be located at the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO.
- 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.
- Normal working hours will be observed except for occasional irregular hours during data collection or conferences/workshops conducted at remote sites.
For questions about the position, please contact:
Youmi Oh (youmi.oh@noaa.gov)
Research Scientist I
University of Colorado Boulder, CIRES
NOAA/Global Monitoring Laboratory
What We Can Offer
- CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
- The annual hiring salary range for this position is $65,000-$67,000. 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 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
- Ph.D. in environmental and/or earth system science or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience with big-data analytics and visualization using scientific programming languages such as Matlab, Python, R, or Fortran.
- Demonstrated experience with high-performance computing environments.
- Experience in publishing technical reports and peer-reviewed journal articles, and presenting research findings at scientific conferences.
What You Will Need
- Ability to critically interpret and diagnose model output.
- Ability to manage and manipulate large and complex observational and model datasets.
- Strong background in machine learning or process-based biogeochemistry modeling (particularly in relation to global methane dynamics).
- Ability to work independently and in an inclusive team environment, and to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats.
What We Would Like You to Have
We invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the minimum qualifications 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.
- Knowledge of soil biogeochemistry preferred.
- Experience in running process-based and/or machine-learning modeling greatly preferred.
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 not required at the time of application, please be ready to submit information for 3 professional references (must include at least 1 supervisor). If you are identified as a finalist for this role, you will be asked to invite your references to complete a SkillSurvey questionnaire on your behalf. SkillSurvey is an online reference check solution. All information is kept confidential and shared only with the search committee members.
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 remain open until finalists have been identified.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Youmi Oh
Posting Contact Email: youmi.oh@noaa.gov