CIRES/NSIDC Professional Research Assistant
Requisition Number:
64008
Location:
Boulder, Colorado
City
Boulder
State
Colorado
Employment Type:
Research Faculty
Schedule:
Full-Time
Posting Close Date:
07-May-2025
Date Posted:
05-May-2025
Job Summary
The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) encourages applications for a Professional Research Assistant/Associate Scientist I to engage in research on links between atmospheric weather patterns and Arctic Rain on Snow events. The successful candidate will report to the project Principal Investigator. The position involves data processing using Python, application of algorithms to assess connections between rain on snow events and weather systems, creation of graphics and writing research results for submission to peer-reviewed journals. This position is limited to a 3 month duration from June 2025 – August 2025.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected 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.
NSIDC is the authoritative data management and science center for cryospheric data and research. We advance understanding of Earth’s frozen regions and the changes taking place to inform decision- making, in service to humanity and Earth. NSIDC makes a positive difference in the future of humanity and the planet as the trusted go-to organization for Earth science data and information, particularly with respect to Earth’s frozen realms.
NSIDC is the authoritative data management and science center for cryospheric data and research. We advance understanding of Earth’s frozen regions and the changes taking place to inform decision- making, in service to humanity and Earth. NSIDC makes a positive difference in the future of humanity and the planet as the trusted go-to organization for Earth science data and information, particularly with respect to Earth’s frozen realms.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Engage in research assessing changes in Arctic precipitation and precipitation partitioning
- Assess change in rainfall/total precipitation and rainfall/snowfall (30%)
- Compile figures and submit a paper on precipitation changes to a peer-reviewed journal (20%)
- Create effective graphics in support of the research (15%)
- Participate in the writing of additional manuscripts reporting on research results for submission to peer reviewed journals (15%) Participate in science team meetings (10%)
- Prepare scientific presentations for workshops and conferences (10%)
What You Should Know
- Due to NASA funding restrictions, candidates who have paid or unpaid appointments or positions with Chinese Government organizations, Chinese Government controlled organizations, Chinese-owned companies, or any company incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China are ineligible for hire.
- Please note that those applicants requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future will not be considered for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to legally work in the United States on a full-time basis.
- This is a 3-month position, with expected dates of June 2025 – August 2025.
- For questions about the application process, please contact Chris Pappas at chris.pappas@colorado.edu.
What We Can Offer
- CIRES offers a generous compensation and benefits package.
- The annual hiring salary for this position ranges from $60,000 - $65,250. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
- 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 will have free access to the regional public transit system, an outstanding network of buses, and light rail systems that service Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.
- CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
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 groundbreaking. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Master’s degree in earth science
- Experience with data processing
- Applicants must have work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.
What You Will Need
- Ability to code in Python
- Ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with peers, management, staff, and office administration
- Self-direction; ownership of issues and inefficiencies and initiative to seek better solutions.
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 with applications for Earth science or geospatial data.
- Experience working in an academic environment with principal investigators and soft-money funding, including federally funded grants, cooperative agreements or contracts
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- Resume/CV.
- Cover letter briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
- List of contact information for 3 professional references (name, title, professional relationship, email) who may be contacted on your behalf for a professional reference. You don’t need to include letters of recommendation with your initial application. If you are selected as a finalist for this role, the search committee will request a letter of recommendation at a later time.
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.
Please apply by May 7, 2025 for consideration.
Posting Contact Name: Chris Pappas
Posting Contact Email: chris.pappas@colorado.edu
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: Chris Pappas
Posting Contact Email: chris.pappas@colorado.edu