Jobs 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.

Research in the Tolbert Laboratory is focused on heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry, focusing on the chemical, physical, and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols. By studying the heterogeneous chemistry aerosols on Earth, we aim to understand their influence on current problems such as global climate change, cloud formation, and visibility degradation. In addition to characterizing modern-day Earth aerosols, research in the Tolbert lab has extended to charactering aerosol particles from early Earth. Other planetary systems including Mars and Saturn’s Moon Titan are utilized to act as parallels to early Earth. The main techniques used for this experimental research are mass spectrometry, cavity ring-down and photoacoustic spectroscopies, Raman microscopy, particle levitation, and light scatting techniques. Projects often involve close collaborations with theoreticians or modelers and experimentalists with complementary expertise.

• Conduct experiments on aerosol samples using a prototype Auto-Fluorescence Nephelometer (AFN) to characterize limits of new instrument (50%)
• Prepare aerosol mimics composed of primarily corrosive materials including concentrated sulfuric acid to mimic volcanic and Venus aerosol (10%)
• Design and build experimental setup to safely house and contain corrosive aerosols during operation of AFN (5%)
• Manage and assist in disposal of ITAR related materials used in testing of the AFN (5%)
• Analyze light scattering and fluorescence data using custom computer programs collected from AFN and assist in preparing manuscripts for publication (15%)
• Coordinate experiment plans and data transfer to collaborating research groups at MIT and Georgia Tech for further data analysis (10%)
• Performs other duties as necessary (5%)

• This position is planned to start in early July and run approximately 6 months, dependent on funding.
• This position is expected to work 30 hours/week, with most work performed in the lab. Some data analysis and writing can be done remotely.
• Laboratory work is expected to be performed in the Tolbert lab in CIRES.
• Due to the nature, scope, and sponsors of the work, this position is only open to U.S. Citizens who can gain ITAR clearance.
• This is a temporary position and is ineligible for benefits besides those required by law. This position accrues 0.034 hours of sick leave for every hour worked.

• The hourly pay for this position is $31.25 per hour
• 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.

• Require a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, or engineering.
• Minimum of 4 years of laboratory experience involving aerosol generation and manipulation.
• Requires a minimum of 4 years of laboratory experience involving light scattering by aerosols.
• Requires a strong publication record providing evidence of laboratory skills in aerosol research and aerosol light aerosol scattering.
• Requires experience working with lasers and laser spectroscopy.

• Ability to operate and maintain a variety of laboratory hardware.
• Ability and motivation to learn unfamiliar science and engineering topics.
• Skills with computer programming and data analysis.
• Ability to design and plan laboratory experiments involving hazardous materials.
• Ability to work well with others; interpersonal skills.

• Experience working with homebuilt, prototype instruments.
• Experience working with lasers and laser spectroscopy.
• Experience working in a collaborative environment with other research groups.
• Experience working with hazardous/corrosive materials.
• Knowledge of Mie theory and fluorescence.
• Knowledge of aerosols present in volcanic and Venus atmospheres.