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CIRES/NOAA NCEI Software Developer – Geomagnetism Team

Requisition Number:

60363

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Posting Close Date:

26-Nov-2024

Date Posted:

14-Nov-2024

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder conducts collaborative research with NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). CIRES has an immediate opening for a Software Developer in its CIRES / NCEI Geomagnetism Team. The successful applicant will join a rapidly growing group of Geomagnetic Software Engineers responsible for developing and maintaining scalable and efficient software used by the team for development of global magnetic field models of the Earth, as well as by users for accessing and running models and data products. Global magnetic field models are used by government, industry and the general public in a wide range of applications, including aircraft navigation, satellite attitude control and directional drilling. Ideal applicants will have experience in scientific software development, transitioning research software to operational use, and high-performance or cloud computing. The ability to collaborate effectively within a team of research scientists, software developers and data managers is essential.

This CIRES position is based at the David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, Colorado, and offers a hybrid work option.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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.

NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) is responsible for hosting and providing access to one of the most significant archives on Earth, with comprehensive oceanic, atmospheric, and geophysical data. From the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun and from million-year-old sediment records to near real time satellite images, NCEI is the Nation’s leading authority for environmental information.

The CIRES/NCEI geomagnetism team conducts basic and applied research in the field of Earth magnetism. We develop data-based models and calculators of the various magnetic fields originating within the Earth (in the core, mantle, lithosphere and oceans) and in the near-Earth space environment (in the ionized layers of the atmosphere and the magnetosphere). Such models have a wide range of scientific and technical uses, from investigating physical processes associated with a particular source, for example core flows, to providing accurate headings for aircraft navigation and directional drilling. The group is based out of NOAA's Boulder campus and is primarily funded by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) through an agreement with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

  • Design, develop, maintain, and update software for fitting global geomagnetic field models to data collected from ground-based and low-Earth orbit platforms (40%)
  • Collaborate with research scientists to transition research-grade scientific software into a production environment, including high-profile geomagnetic field models such as the World Magnetic Model (WMM) and High-Definition Geomagnetic Model (HDGM) (30%)
  • Create user-facing software that allows users to access NOAA’s geomagnetic field models (20%)
  • Write documentation for selected software intended for both internal and external users (10%)

What You Should Know

  • Access to the NOAA Federal Center’s computers is necessary to perform the work of this position. Access is not available for individuals working in the United States through a visa or a working permit and therefore we are unable to consider applications from individuals on a visa or working permit or requiring visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future.
  • 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 $62,444 - $113,246.
  • 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.
  • 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

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 curious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field
  • Experience in programming, particularly in Python
  • Experience in data science or machine learning

What You Will Need

  • High proficiency in Python
  • Ability to fit a simple statistical model to data
  • Verbal and written communication skills in English
  • Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a team member as evidenced in previous roles
  • Commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment
  • Strong attention to detail and the ability to translate user requirements into customer-friendly and efficient software applications

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.

  • At least one year of experience as a scientific software developer, with a proven track record in developing various software systems, including responsibilities for analysis, design, implementation, and deployment
  • Proficiency in programming with C
  • Experience using version control (Git), issue tracking, and continuous integration tools
  • Familiarity with optimizing software to reduce memory usage and increase performance
  • Experience in developing scientific software within a research environment
  • Experience with high-performance or cloud computing
  • Experience in database programming

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

  1. Resume or CV.
  2. 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.
  3. Please note that selected candidates will be tested with a technical assignment which will include coding.
  4. Although not required at the time of application, please be ready to offer contact information for professional references who can be contacted on your behalf if you are identified as a finalist for this role. We will use a digital reference check solution.

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 in November 26, 2024.

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.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Arnaud Chulliat

Posting Contact Email: arnaud.chulliat@noaa.gov