24-125: Satellite Remote Sensing Specialist for Weather and Climate Research Applications

Working Title: 24-125: Satellite Remote Sensing Specialist for Weather and Climate Research Applications

Position Location: Fort Collins, CO

Work Location: Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position: Yes

Posting Number: 202402021AP

Position Type: Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title: Postdoctoral Fellows

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work Hours/Week: 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range: $67,000 - $70,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Employee Benefits: Colorado State University is a thriving community that transforms lives through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/23/2025.

Description of Work Unit: The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) is a multi-million dollar research organization. CIRA conducts interdisciplinary research in atmospheric sciences, leveraging national and international resources and partnerships, and assisting NOAA through applied research.

Position Summary: CIRA seeks to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow to work on the development of machine learning methods for environmental remote sensing applications. This is a 12-month appointment with a flexible start date between 10 March 2025 and 10 June 2025, with an option to renew for an additional year contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding. The individual will support multiple NOAA-funded projects related to operational satellite programs and will be involved in CIRA’s global 3D satellite atmospheric cloud research. Target projects include estimating global cloud properties and developing methods to quantify cloud characteristics.

Required Job Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in meteorology, atmospheric sciences, or a closely related STEM field. Applicants must successfully complete their Ph.D. defense before the starting date.
• Experience working in satellite remote sensing related to atmospheric clouds.
• Experience reading, writing, and/or manipulating scientific datasets for meteorological applications.
• Experience working in a team environment and communicating scientific results.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Experience working with in-situ measurements for weather and climate research.
• Strong written communication skills evidenced by cover letter.
• Experience in computer programming for meteorological data analysis, preferably Python.
• Experience using statistical, mathematical, or machine learning methods with multiple data sources.
• Familiarity with development of atmospheric cloud retrieval products.
• Knowledge of atmospheric radiative transfer models.
• Experience writing for scientific publications.

Diversity Statement: Candidates are expected to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Job Duties:

• Conduct research and develop analysis techniques for environmental satellite remote sensing applications.
• Develop methods for retrieving global cloud field parameters based on satellite data.
• Conduct validation using in-situ measurements and intercomparisons with satellites.
• Contribute to and lead scientific studies that serve the CIRA mission.
• Travel to scientific conferences to present results.
• Collaborate with operational partners and coordinate with team members on related applications.
• Share research results with colleagues and the broader scientific community.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applications must be submitted via online portal. A cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications is mandatory. Applications lacking a cover letter or with generic content may not be considered.

Conditions of Employment: Pre-employment Criminal Background Check is required for new hires.

References Requested: Minimum 3, Maximum 3.