What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Scientist II position at UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research?
Job Description Summary:
Designs and conducts independent and collaborative research on boundary layers, surface fluxes, and turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere, possibly through sponsored research. Collaborates with groups that develop and support community modeling systems in the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology (MMM) Laboratory, with groups that develop and support community instruments in the Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL), and groups in the Research Applications Laboratory (RAL) of NSF NCAR. Also collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, providing expertise needed to improve predictability of the earth system. Participates in professional development and training activities provided by NSF NCAR and UCAR.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
Yes
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
Yes
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Term - 6 months or more (Fixed Term)
Compensation Range:
Salary Range: $109,097-$136,370
Application Deadline:
Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role:
Use in-depth knowledge of boundary layers, surface fluxes, and turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere to evaluate and advance community modeling systems that are developed and supported in the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Laboratory of NSF NCAR (and across NSF NCAR). Evaluate and advance BL turbulence and flux observations from the Earth Observing Laboratory and elsewhere to improve the modeling systems. Participate in and contributes expertise to NSF NCAR Strategic Programs, e.g., Earth System Predictability Across Timescales (ESPAT).
Conduct original research on boundary layers, surface fluxes, and turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere using models, observations, and/or theory. Participate in (or could lead) field programs. Design and submit proposals to funding agencies in support of this research. May supervise or mentor staff and visitors.
Serve as lead or contributing author on scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Contribute to community service as appropriate for a member of the community. Examples may include manuscript and proposal review, committee membership within and outside MMM, EOL, RAL and NSF NCAR, and/or participation in the planning of conferences and workshops.
Participate in professional development activities and training. Examples of continuing professional development activities include attending workshops, seminars and conferences; mentoring; and participating in online and other external training opportunities, as well as training provided by NSF NCAR EdEC, NSF NCAR Labs and UCAR HR. The researcher may also participate in established networking opportunities for early career staff.
Who We'd Love To Join Our Team
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education and Experience (Required/Desired):
UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:
Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.
Some Final Considerations
At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.
Flexible Work
At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.
Equal Opportunity Employer
UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.
Export Control
All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.
Visa Wait Times
Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.
Work Location
UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
AI Software
ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing the way society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.
Designs and conducts independent and collaborative research on boundary layers, surface fluxes, and turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere, possibly through sponsored research. Collaborates with groups that develop and support community modeling systems in the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology (MMM) Laboratory, with groups that develop and support community instruments in the Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL), and groups in the Research Applications Laboratory (RAL) of NSF NCAR. Also collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, providing expertise needed to improve predictability of the earth system. Participates in professional development and training activities provided by NSF NCAR and UCAR.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
Yes
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
Yes
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Term - 6 months or more (Fixed Term)
Compensation Range:
Salary Range: $109,097-$136,370
- Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.*
Application Deadline:
- This position will be posted until 11:59 PM MT on Friday, April 18, 2025.
- Resume
- Cover Letter - Please address your interest in this position as well as how your skills and experience meet the needs outlined in this posting (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).
Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role:
Use in-depth knowledge of boundary layers, surface fluxes, and turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere to evaluate and advance community modeling systems that are developed and supported in the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Laboratory of NSF NCAR (and across NSF NCAR). Evaluate and advance BL turbulence and flux observations from the Earth Observing Laboratory and elsewhere to improve the modeling systems. Participate in and contributes expertise to NSF NCAR Strategic Programs, e.g., Earth System Predictability Across Timescales (ESPAT).
Conduct original research on boundary layers, surface fluxes, and turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere using models, observations, and/or theory. Participate in (or could lead) field programs. Design and submit proposals to funding agencies in support of this research. May supervise or mentor staff and visitors.
Serve as lead or contributing author on scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Contribute to community service as appropriate for a member of the community. Examples may include manuscript and proposal review, committee membership within and outside MMM, EOL, RAL and NSF NCAR, and/or participation in the planning of conferences and workshops.
Participate in professional development activities and training. Examples of continuing professional development activities include attending workshops, seminars and conferences; mentoring; and participating in online and other external training opportunities, as well as training provided by NSF NCAR EdEC, NSF NCAR Labs and UCAR HR. The researcher may also participate in established networking opportunities for early career staff.
Who We'd Love To Join Our Team
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education and Experience (Required/Desired):
- Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, or Physical Science, plus at least three years of experience in the scientific field of specialization; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Advanced knowledge of boundary layers, surface fluxes, or turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Thorough understanding of technical areas such as modeling, instrumentation, theory, scientific computing or data science.
- Experience conducting and/or analyzing field observations.
- Advanced skill in planning and organizing a research effort.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with scientists with broadly ranging skill levels in oral and written presentation of technical and scientific material for a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively as part of a team effort.
- Demonstrated experience in making workplaces welcoming.
UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:
- Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities
- UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one
- Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)
- 10 paid holidays
- 10 days of sick leave each year
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary
- EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost
Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.
Some Final Considerations
At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.
Flexible Work
At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.
Equal Opportunity Employer
UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.
Export Control
All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.
Visa Wait Times
Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.
Work Location
UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
AI Software
ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing the way society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.
Salary : $109,097 - $136,370