Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
(CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder encourages
applications for a Research Scientist in atmospheric chemistry
within NOAA's Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder,
Colorado. This role works within CSL's Atmospheric Composition and
Chemical Processes (ACCP) program alongside federal and university
scientists investigating atmospheric composition and the chemical
and physical processes that influence air quality, the ozone layer,
and climate.
This role will lead and contribute to research combining innovative
in situ measurements with atmospheric chemical modeling to
investigate reactive trace gases and aerosols from the lower
troposphere through the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere
(UTLS). A major component of the position will involve leadership
in the development, characterization, deployment, and scientific
application of chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) and
complementary instrumentation for aircraft and ground-based
atmospheric measurements. The scientist will also integrate field
observations with chemical transport and process models to improve
understanding and representation of atmospheric chemistry.
This position is intended for a scientist capable of independently
developing research directions, leading instrument and field
measurement activities, initiating collaborations, mentoring junior
researchers, and contributing to the development and funding of
future research projects. The successful candidate will join CSL's
highly collaborative research groups and work alongside scientists
within NOAA, CIRES, and the broader national and international
atmospheric chemistry community.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
Who We Are
CIRES is an internationally recognized
leader in innovative environmental science and research and is
located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than
900 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 NOAA
Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL)
conducts research to advance scientific understanding of the
chemical and physical processes that affect Earth's atmospheric
composition and climate. Within CSL, the Atmospheric Composition
and Chemical Processes program investigates atmospheric
constituents and chemical processes affecting air quality, the
ozone layer, and climate. ACCP scientists conceive, construct,
develop, and deploy advanced instrumentation to measure atmospheric
trace gases and aerosols from ground-based and airborne platforms
and interpret these observations using laboratory studies and
atmospheric models. These efforts support major national and
international field campaigns and provide fundamental understanding
of the processes controlling atmospheric composition.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Lead development, characterization, and deployment of
advanced atmospheric instrumentation (25%). Lead the
development, optimization, operation, and scientific application of
chemical ionization mass spectrometry and complementary
instrumentation for measurements of reactive trace gases and
aerosols, with particular emphasis on airborne measurements in the
upper troposphere and lower stratosphere.
Lead and participate in atmospheric field research
(20%). Develop measurement strategies and lead or participate
in domestic and international airborne and ground-based field
campaigns. Coordinate instrument integration, field operations,
mission science planning, and collaboration with other instrument
investigators and project scientists.
Conduct independent scientific analysis and research
(20%). Analyze and interpret complex, multi-instrument
atmospheric datasets to investigate chemical and physical processes
controlling atmospheric composition. Develop new research questions
and integrate observations from multiple measurement platforms and
complementary datasets.
Integrate atmospheric observations and chemical modeling
(15%). Apply atmospheric chemical models, including global
chemical transport and process models, to interpret field
observations, evaluate model representations of atmospheric
processes, and find opportunities to improve model predictive
capability.
Communicate scientific results and develop future research
activities (10%). Publish research findings in peer-reviewed
scientific journals and present results at national and
international scientific meetings. Develop new research directions,
contribute to competitive research proposals, and build
collaborations with scientists within NOAA, CIRES, universities,
and other domestic and international research institutions.
Provide scientific leadership and mentorship (5%).
Provide scientific and technical guidance to students, postdoctoral
researchers, technical staff, and other early-career scientists
involved in atmospheric measurement and modeling activities.
Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).
What You Should Know
- This is a full-time Research Scientist position with a targeted
start date on February 1,2027.
- Visa sponsorship is not offered for this role. Candidates must
be qualified to work in the U.S in a full-time capacity and pass a
federal clearance by the targeted start date of February 1,
2027.
- This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of
Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in the David
Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, on a
federal research campus.
- If you are the finalist, you will be required to pass a
background check. Non-US citizens without green cards will have
limited building access and require a federal escort in the
building.
- The position involves both laboratory and computational
research and participation in field measurement campaigns.
- Domestic/international travel will be required for field
deployments, scientific meetings, and collaborative research
activities.
- Field deployments may involve irregular work schedules,
including extended hours during aircraft missions and other
intensive measurement periods.
- Expected to work independently while contributing to highly
collaborative research projects involving CIRES, NOAA, university,
and other national and international partners.
- Contact Alex Baron (alex.baron@colorado.edu) 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 role is $89,500-
$106,000. Salary is commensurate with education and years of
experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track
classification.
- Some relocation funds are available to help offset expenses,
following CIRES/the University of Colorado’s relocation processes
and procedures.
- This position offers the possibility of some remote work, up to
two days per week.
- CIRES/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.
- As an employee at CU Boulder, you will have free access to the
regional public transit system, an
outstanding network of buses, and light rail systems that service
Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding
communities.
- David Skaggs Research Center is located less than 30 miles from
Denver, which is a large, metropolitan city.
- CIRES/NOAA CSL provides an engaged and collaborative research
environment and the opportunity to address fundamental questions in
atmospheric chemistry relevant to climate, stratospheric
composition, and air quality. This role works with a team
possessing extensive experience developing and deploying advanced
atmospheric instrumentation aboard research aircraft and other
observational platforms.
- The position offers opportunities to lead instrument
development and field measurements, integrate observations with
innovative atmospheric models, develop new research directions,
collaborate with national/international research partners, mentor
early-career scientists, and contribute to future NOAA and CIRES
atmospheric chemistry research programs.
Benefits
At the
University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive
benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of
Forbes' America's Best
Large Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado
and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and
programs through the
CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be driven. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Ph.D. in chemistry, atmospheric science, physics, engineering,
or a related field.
- More than six years of postdoctoral research experience or
equivalent professional research experience in atmospheric
chemistry or a closely related field.
- Proven experience conducting independent atmospheric research
using advanced instrumentation, atmospheric observations, and
atmospheric chemical models.
- Demonstrated experience leading research activities,
instrumentation projects, or field measurement activities.
- Proven record of communicating scientific results through
peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national or
international scientific meetings.
What You Will Need
- Expertise in atmospheric chemistry and the chemical and
physical processes controlling atmospheric composition.
- Expertise in the development, operation, and scientific
application of advanced instrumentation for measurements of
atmospheric trace gases or aerosols.
- Strong skills in scientific data processing, analysis,
visualization, and interpretation.
- Ability to independently develop research questions and lead
collaborative scientific activities.
- Ability to work effectively with scientists, engineers,
technical staff, students, and collaborators in a multidisciplinary
research environment.
- Excellent written and verbal scientific communication
skills.
- Ability to manage multiple research priorities and provide
scientific and technical leadership.
What We Would Like You to Have
Please 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 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.
- Experience with chemical ionization time-of-flight mass
spectrometry (CIMS) or related mass spectrometric techniques for
atmospheric measurements.
- Experience developing/deploying instrumentation aboard
high-altitude research aircraft.
- Experience conducting measurements and research in the upper
troposphere/ lower stratosphere.
- Experience with global atmospheric chemical transport models
such as GEOS-Chem.
- Experience integrating aircraft, ground-based, satellite,
and/or monitoring-network observations with atmospheric
models.
- Experience developing or modifying atmospheric chemical
mechanisms, heterogeneous chemistry schemes, or aerosol process
representations in numerical models.
- Experience with Python, MATLAB, Fortran, high-performance
computing, and/or cloud computing environments.
- Experience preparing competitive research proposals and
developing domestic or international scientific
collaborations.
- Experience supervising or mentoring students, postdoctoral
researchers, or technical staff.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background
and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and
responsibilities of the position.
We will request professional references at a later time.
If you are selected as the finalist, 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.
Please apply by
September 24, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For
consideration, please apply 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.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Alexandre Baron
Posting Contact Email: alex.baron@colorado.edu
