CIRES / NOAA-NCEI Space Magnetometer Team Lead
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Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder has an immediate opening for a Research Associate supporting NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). This hire will serve as the lead of the Space Magnetometer Team within NCEI’s Space Weather Team. The Space Weather Team 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) and the broader space weather and scientific community. The successful candidate will be an essential member of a team of scientists, analysts, data managers and software developers dedicated to diverse projects to calibrate, validate, process, disseminate and do research with NOAA’s space weather data. We work on multiple satellite programs including the GOES-R mission series of four geosynchronous spacecraft, and the Space Weather Follow On-Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) mission that is scheduled for launch in September 2025.
This hire will lead a group of about six people on the Space Magnetometer Team. This hire will be involved in and guide others on projects including on-orbit calibration and validation of satellite magnetometers, development of ground-based data processing algorithms, public data product stewardship, research-to-operations projects, and spacecraft magnetometer instrument science efforts. They will provide solar wind/heliophysics subject matter expertise and are also expected to undertake scientific research, publish results in scientific journals, and apply for grants.
Who We Are
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.
The NCEI Space Weather Team is responsible for oversight of the NOAA space weather sensors on several satellite constellations, including GOES 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 operational and scientific communities. 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
- (35%) Provide scientific and technical leadership to a team of scientists, science analysts and software developers on all aspects of magnetic fields and magnetometers for NOAA satellite missions.
- (15%) Develop and implement calibration and validation activities for NOAA's space-based magnetometers and their ground processing algorithms.
- (10%) Determine, implement, and document new algorithms and modifications to existing ground-processing algorithms.
- (10%) Review algorithm, hardware, validation, and operations documentation and participate in NOAA-NASA pre- and post-launch reviews.
- (10%) Attend instrument design reviews, observe spacecraft magnetic fields testing, and participate in spacecraft magnetic cleanliness working groups.
- (5%) Serve as a scientific and technical interface to NOAA satellite programs, advocating for the quality of NOAA's space weather data, and ensuring that the magnetometer data meets the needs of NOAA and the broader space science community.
- (5%) Present observations and science results from NOAA’s satellite magnetometer instruments at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed publications.
- (5%) Propose, supervise, and perform independent research.
- (5%) Serve in supervisory and Space Weather Team management roles.
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.
- This position will require some domestic travel in the frequency of 1-3 trips per year.
- 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 $84,000 - $119,700. 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.
- 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 Physical Science, Engineering or similar technical discipline.
- At least four years of postdoctoral experience in satellite magnetometer design, scientific algorithm development, and scientific research with space magnetic fields data.
- 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
- Experience working with and calibrating space magnetic fields data.
- An understanding of the Earth’s magnetosphere and heliospheric magnetic fields.
- Experience with space-based magnetometers and an understanding of the impacts of spacecraft generated fields.
- Excellent oral/written communication skills and capacity for working in a team environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a team of scientists, data analysts and software engineers.
- Ability to conduct scientific research in space physics as an individual researcher or as a part of a larger research team.
- Strong scientific algorithm development skills and proficiency in Python.
- Willingness to make short-term trips to NASA GSFC, NOAA-NSOF and instrument vendor facilities for technical meetings and/or pre-and post-launch activities.
- Ability to work with multiple organizations in order to meet NOAA’s requirements.
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 NOAA’s satellite programs.
- Willingness to pursue independent funding for research.
- Experience with Linux/Unix shell.
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 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 on September 9, 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: Janet Machol
Posting Contact Email: janet.machol@colorado.edu