Job Details

CIRES/NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Atmospheric Aerosol Research Scientist

Position Number: 6959109
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

CIRES/NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Atmospheric Aerosol Research Scientist

Requisition Number: 70242
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 11-Mar-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

CIRES is seeking a scientist to drive exciting research relevant to the Earth's atmosphere; specifically, to work on obtaining and interpreting aircraft-based measurements of black carbon-containing aerosol. Black carbon is an absorbing species with important global impacts on the Earth's radiation budget and is also valuable as a tracer of aerosol processes in the atmosphere. The selected candidate will work in close cooperation with a supportive, and enthusiastic team of research staff in deploying customized single particle soot photometer (SP2) instruments to measure black carbon's abundance and microphysical properties. This position will be focused on an opportunity to fly the SP2 on the NSF Gulfstream-V aircraft as part of NASA's INjected Smoke and PYRocumulonimbus Experiment (INSPYRE). A mission is planned for a Colorado-based deployment in late summer, 2026.

The successful applicant will learn to operate, calibrate, and maintain the SP2, learn to use an existing software suite to analyze and quality assure data, and develop scientific findings that will be presented at meetings and in written manuscripts for publication in the peer-reviewed literature. Experience with instrumentation including trouble shooting electronics, laser systems, and air flow control systems are helpful qualifications for this position.
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.

In the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) of NOAA, researchers develop and use instruments to make scientifically valuable atmospheric measurements, conduct laboratory experiments, design and execute field missions, analyze observations, and use sophisticated computer models to better understand how our changing atmosphere is influencing climate - and therefore people. https://csl.noaa.gov/

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Maintain and calibrate SP2 instrument(s). (20%)
Support deployment of SP2 instruments on research aircraft including the NASA INSPYRE (espo.nasa.gov/inspyre) and NOAA SABRE (https://csl.noaa.gov/projects/sabre/). INSPYRE will deploy the NSF G-V aircraft from Broomfield, Colorado in late summer, 2026. SABRE will deploy the NASA WB57 aircraft from Houston, Texas and in summer, 2026 with potential international deployment to Panama. Other locations, domestic or international, may also be used. (20%)
Process and analyze the data from this instrument from airborne missions. This requires interpretation of multi-parameter data sets, and interaction with other instrument investigators. Participate in wider applications of SP2 and more generally expanding aerosol measurement capabilities or understanding. (30%)
Present findings at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed scientific journals. (20%)
Participate in other tasks as needed. (10%)

What You Should Know

This is a two-year appointment. The offer of employment is contingent on receipt of grant approval.
Domestic and International travel for campaign deployment is estimated at less than 2 months per year.
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.
Contact Dr. Colin Gurganus, colin.gurganus@colorado.edu, for further information concerning the science and research challenges of this position.

What We Can Offer

CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
The annual hiring salary range for this position is $72,000- $84,450. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career-track classification.
This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
Some relocation funds are available to help offset expenses, following CIRES and the University of Colorado's relocation processes and procedures.
University of Colorado Boulder offers 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.

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. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be impactful. Be talented. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field.
Experience in experimental sciences and data analysis.

What You Will Need

Knowledge of and experience with the operation and/or maintenance of complex instrumentation.
Experience in data interpretation for presentation of scientific results at meetings and in scientific journals.
Capability for self-guided, motivated, and original research.
Ability to work well with other researchers and support staff in a diverse and collaborative research environment.

Special Instructions

To apply please submit the following materials with your application:

Resume or CV.
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.

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.

Position will close on March 11, 2026.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted 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.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NOAA-Chemical-Sciences-Laboratory-Atmospheric-Aerosol-Research-Scientist/70242