CIRES / Chu Research Group, Postdoctoral Associate in Atmosphere-Space Lidar and

Boulder, Colorado

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.

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 Chu Research Group is an internationally recognized leader in the development and application of resonance-fluorescence lidar technologies for atmospheric and space physics research. The group pioneers advanced lidar instrumentation and long-term observational studies of the middle and upper atmosphere, providing unique measurements of temperature, winds, and meteoric metal species from the mesosphere to the lower thermosphere.

The group operates world-class lidar systems in Boulder, Colorado, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica, one of the longest-running resonance-fluorescence lidar programs in the Antarctic. These unique observational facilities enable investigations of atmospheric dynamics, plasma-neutral coupling, thermosphere-ionosphere-mesosphere (ITM) interactions, meteoric metal layers, gravity waves, tides, planetary waves, and long-term atmospheric variability across a wide range of latitudes.

Through the integration of innovative lidar technologies, long-term observations, numerical modeling, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the Chu Research Group advances the fundamental understanding of Earth’s upper atmosphere and contributes to national and international efforts in atmospheric science, space weather research, and the development of next-generation remote sensing capabilities.

• Conduct independent research on thermosphere-ionosphere metal (TIMt) layers, the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) system, and their long-term changes and physical mechanisms using resonance-fluorescence lidar observations from Boulder, Colorado and McMurdo, Antarctica, numerical modeling, and interdisciplinary scientific analysis. Publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. (30%)
• Develop, improve, and apply physics-based regional TIMt models and integrate observational results with whole-atmosphere and ionospheric models to advance the understanding of upper-atmospheric processes. Publish scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. (30%)
• Contribute to the development, testing, deployment, and operation of advanced resonance-fluorescence lidar systems and to field campaigns, support field campaigns, and maintain the Golden Lidar Facility. (20%)
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to future research proposals. (15%)
• Outreach activities and perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $65,000 – $66,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on CIRES internal career track classification.
• This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
• 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.
• 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.

Be curious. Be professional. Be Boulder.

• A Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Space Physics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geophysics, or a closely related field. Candidates who will have completed all degree requirements before the anticipated start date will also be considered.
• Demonstrated research experience in atmospheric and space science, including one or more of the following areas: Upper atmospheric physics, ionospheric physics, atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric remote sensing, meteoric metal layers, or related fields.
• Experience with scientific programming and quantitative data analysis using MATLAB, Python, or other comparable scientific programming languages.
• Experience analyzing large scientific datasets and/or developing physics-based numerical models relevant to atmospheric or space science research.
• Demonstrated record of publishing scientific research in peer-reviewed journals and the ability to communicate research effectively through scientific writing and presentations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment while also conducting independent scientific research.

• Strong knowledge of atmospheric and space physics, including the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere-mesosphere (ITM) system and the physical processes governing upper-atmospheric dynamics.
• Expertise in scientific programming and data analysis, including MATLAB, Python, or comparable programming languages for processing, visualization, and interpretation of large scientific datasets.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment while also conducting independent scientific research.
• Strong quantitative and analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex observational and numerical modeling results.
• Ability to conduct independent research while effectively collaborating within interdisciplinary research teams and contributing to shared scientific objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare scientific publications, technical reports, research proposals, and conference presentations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple research activities, meet project deadlines, and maintain high scientific standards.
• Commitment to mentorship, teamwork, and an inclusive research environment, while supporting graduate and undergraduate researchers and contributing positively to the Chu Research Group.

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 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.

• Experience with resonance-fluorescence lidar systems, including atmospheric observations, instrument operation, or lidar data analysis.
• Familiarity with long-term resonance-fluorescence lidar observations and the analysis of thermosphere-ionosphere metal layers and meteoric metal layer datasets collected at Boulder, Colorado, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
• Research experience related to thermosphere-ionosphere-mesosphere (ITM) coupling, upper-atmospheric dynamics, plasma-neutral interactions, meteoric metal layers, or atmospheric remote sensing.
• Experience developing or applying regional or global atmospheric and ionospheric models, such as WACCM-X, TIEGCM, WAM-IPE, or similar physics-based numerical models.
• Experience integrating observations with numerical simulations to investigate atmospheric or space physics processes.
• Experience participating in field campaigns, operating atmospheric instrumentation, or supporting remote observation facilities, particularly in polar or other challenging environments.
• Experience mentoring students, contributing to interdisciplinary collaborations, and assisting with proposal development.