University of Colorado Boulder hiring CIRES/NOAA CSL Scientific Instrumentation Developer in Boulder, CO | LinkedIn (2024)

Summary Job Summary The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is seeking a Professional Research Assistant to participate in the development and use of custom instrumentation to make atmospheric measurements for climate and air quality research.

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, Colorado. The selected candidate will work in close cooperation with the research staff of CIRES and the NOAA CSL Atmospheric Composition and Chemical Processes (ACCP) group on a range of measurements including remote sensing of wildfire properties from drones, trace gases including ozone and carbonyl sulfide from high altitude research aircraft in the stratosphere, and fine and coarse mode atmospheric aerosols. Duties of the position include working on mechanical and electrical modifications to improve existing instrumentation, calibration and preparation of instruments for deployment and support for measurements in the field. The measurements made by the ACCP group using these instruments are important for addressing issues as far ranging as: climate change, the ozone layer, and the potential impacts of geoengineering on the atmosphere. The position will involve domestic and international travel to support instrument operation during field deployments (typically up to a month at a time, once or twice a year).

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 AreAt 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 mission of the NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) is to advance scientific understanding of the chemical and physical processes that affect Earth’s atmospheric composition. CSL’s vision is a nation that has the needed scientific understanding and information about atmospheric composition to make optimal decisions for the well-being of current and future generations. The successful candidate will work in a supportive environment in the Atmospheric Chemistry and Chemical Processes group of CSL. (https://csl.noaa.gov/groups/csl6/)

Responsibilities What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be (85%) Contribute to the development, improvement and maintenance of scientific instruments

• Running comparisons of sensors and measurement approaches.
• Running and adjusting instrumentation using sensors for remote sensing fire radiative power measurement, mapping of wildfires, and measurements of atmospheric aerosols, cloud particles, and trace gasses.
• Designing mechanical and/or electrical upgrades to existing components of working instruments.
• Assembly/installation/adjustment of instrument components.

(15%) Participate in the deployment of instruments to the field on uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) and research aircraft platforms within a large team of researchers

• Field missions often require spending several weeks at a time at deployment sites. Your role will be in supporting instrument operations within a larger instrument team. This could include data backup, performing instrument startup/shutdown procedures, monitoring instrument performance from the ground, and helping to load/unload equipment.
• Typically once per year, and may occur in the US or abroad, on civilian or military installations.

What You Should Know

• The position is available initially for a period of 2 years with the possibility of extension based on performance and the availability of funding.
• Due to project deliverables, candidates applying for this role must be able to start work by October 1, 2024.
• This position will typically require 5 day in-person work with occasional opportunity for remote work depending on project needs.
• This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in NOAA's David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305.
• If you are selected for this position you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access.
• Both domestic and international travel is required for this position (likely once or twice per year for a few weeks at a time).
• Irregular hours may occasionally be required to meet project requirements (usually in the field or related to travel requirements).
• Ability to lift 60 lbs. (27 kg).
• Contact Samantha Lee (samantha.lee@noaa.gov) of CIRES for further information concerning this position.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package. The annual hiring salary range for this position is $60,000 to $103,000.
• Salary is commensurate with education and years of experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• Relocation expenses are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• 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 the top place to live in the 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.

BenefitsThe 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 courageous. Be talented. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in a physical science, engineering or a related technical field
• Hands-on experience working with, troubleshooting or constructing scientific instrumentation or similar devices

What You Will Need

• Ability to work in a collaborative environment with a diverse group of scientists and support an inclusive and respectful work culture.
• Ability to carry objects over rough terrain (for example to participate in field deployments).
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple projects at the same time.
• Great communication skills.

What We Would Like You To HavePlease 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.

• An applicant with a range of abilities and interests relevant to scientific instrument design and construction, including basic electrical/electronics work, mechanical design and/or applied sensor technologies will be positioned for success.
• If you have enthusiasm for building, improving and using custom instrumentation to make measurements in the atmosphere in support of efforts to advance atmospheric science in directions of contemporary interest, this position will be very satisfying!

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 prepared to submit a list of 5 professional references (2 of whom must be/must have been supervisors or professors). If you are selected as a finalist, we will ask you to contact your references so that they can complete a SkillSurvey questionnaire on your behalf. SkillSurvey is an online automated reference check solution. This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.

If you are selected for the position, 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 close September 5, 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.