Job Description

Job Description Summary:

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Postdoctoral Fellow. This position provides a career development opportunity while conducting research related to the UCAR COSMIC mission. This position supports and encourages the advancement and application of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) remote sensing for Earth science. This fellowship program is designed to support early career scientists who are interested in GNSS remote sensing and seek to begin their career conducting self-directed research with a group of scientists with research interests ranging from new retrieval technology, space weather, numerical weather prediction, to climate processes. It is intended for highly qualified recent graduates of doctoral programs with no more than five years experience beyond the Ph.D.

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)

$76,650

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.*

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 9am MT January 5, 2024. 

Required application materials (compiled into a single PDF): 

• Personal Statement - not to exceed two (2) pages and should address the following:

  • Why are you specifically interested in the COSMIC Postdoctoral Fellowship?

  • How have you demonstrated leadership and service in your community, and how would you bring and grow this experience during a COSMIC Postdoctoral Fellowship? 

  • Tell us about your past activities related to inclusion, diversity, and equity in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. What will you do to create an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment as a COSMIC Postdoctoral Fellow?

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

• Statement of Research - not to exceed three (3) pages and should contain the following:

  • Please provide a clear summary of your proposed research agenda as a COSMIC Postdoctoral Fellow. What scientific questions does the proposed agenda address, and how will these questions be answered using GNSS remote sensing techniques?

  • How do your interests align with the broader mission of the COSMIC program?

• Transcripts 

• 3 References - please compile the following details for each reference:

  • Name/Pronouns

  • Title/Organization or Institution

  • Email Address

Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

Work Location: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and/or hybrid (combination of in-person and remote) opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1. Prepare, collect, and organize documents in the order listed below and combine all documents into one (1) PDF. 

• Here are two resources for combining multiple documents into a single PDF: How To Combine Files into One PDF;  How To Combine PDFs into One File.

STEP 2. Submit your application through Workday, including attaching/uploading your application materials from Step 1.

• Please attach your compiled application materials in the section of the Workday application where you can upload your Resume/Curriculum Vitae/Other Documents.

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Pursue a research agenda that includes GNSS radio occultation (GNSS-RO) or GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R). Topics may include, but are not limited to, evaluation of the accuracy and precision of RO observations, numerical weather prediction and data assimilation, climate, space weather, water cycle, RO science, improved retrieval development, and emerging GNSS research opportunities, such as GNSS-R. 

• Work closely with scientists at COSMIC to assess the quality of GNSS-RO or GNSS-R data for operational and research activities.

• Communicate research results through publication in peer-reviewed journals, meeting proceedings, and presentations at external and internal scientific meetings.

• Conduct independent scientific research related to project goals.

• Lead the writing of scientific journal articles and reports.

• Present results at scientific conferences and meetings.

• Ability to set priorities for self.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

• A recent Ph.D. degree (granted within the last 5 years)  in an area of research related to atmospheric science, climate, space weather, remote sensing, engineering, or a closely related field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of GNSS Radio Occultation (RO) or GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) research.

• Demonstrated ability to establish positive and productive collaborations with diverse groups.

• Demonstrated record of research and publication.

• Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with lay persons and scholars outside the Postdoctoral Fellow’s primary discipline.

• Experience building collaborative partnerships with scholars and scientists.

• Demonstrated scientific computer skills.

Benefits Overview 

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

• 14 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

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace site. 

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

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, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

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.