The NCEI-STP space weather team is responsible for oversight of the NOAA space weather sensors on several satellite constellations, including GOES, DSCOVR, and SWFO. These missions provide data critical for NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) efforts to protect life and property, as well as to the broader scientific community. The space weather team’s responsibilities include calibration and validation of space weather measurements and data products, development of scientific processing algorithms used in real time to produce data for forecasters, development of retrospective algorithms to create scientifically authoritative (‘best’) products, and prototyping real-time processing systems.

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (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 800 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.

• Implement and help validate data processing algorithms that convert GOES-R, DSCOVR, and SWFO spacecraft and space weather instrument data to scientific data products.
• Install and maintain scientific product algorithm software within NCEI product generation environments.
• Optimize algorithms to achieve required performance, based on test results and interactions with stakeholders.
• Assist in the design and development of NCEI space weather product data services.
• Develop and maintain software tools to support the interdisciplinary space weather team’s needs.
• Assist with data product visualizations.
• Help to develop innovative solutions as NCEI transitions to cloud-based infrastructure.
• Collaborate with and present findings to the space weather team and broader space physics community.

• 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.
• If you are the selected finalist you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access.
• Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
• All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to comply with the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement. New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $55,000 - $102,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• Relocation funds are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• This position can accommodate a hybrid work environment.

• B.S. in Physical Science, Engineering, Computer Science, or similar technical discipline.
• Experience with Python programming.
• Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.

• Demonstrated skill in scientific programming and analysis of environmental data, particularly in collaboration with an interdisciplinary science team.
• Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Python and its scientific packages (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, and Matplotlib).
• Skill in Unix/Linux operating environments.
• Expertise in developing software using object-oriented design principles, software best practices, and version control.
• Ability to improve and maintain software authored by other parties.
• Understanding of the architecture and implementation of systems that generate, manage, or distribute large data sets.
• Ability to write clean, self-documented code that can be maintained by other team members when necessary.
• Expertise in writing unit, integration, and functional tests.
• Ability to effectively work both independently and as part of a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Ability to creatively problem solve, productively manage multiple tasks, and thrive in a highly interactive team environment.
• Willingness and ability to seek answers from others, and to help others with their questions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

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 “What We Would Like You To Have” 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 writing optimized Python code leveraging computationally-efficient libraries, such as NumPy
• Experience with space weather or space-based measurements.
• Proficiency with additional languages utilized for scientific processing, such as IDL and Matlab.
• Experience creating cloud-native and/or cloud-enabled applications.
• Experience and/or knowledge of real-time analytics.
• Experience with data visualization tools.
• Familiarity with Python packaging and environment maintenance, particularly using conda or pip.
• Experience creating and running Docker containers, especially in the context of Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery pipelines.

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• Resume or CV.
• Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
• List of contact information for 3 references who may be contacted for a professional reference and/or asked to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. You don’t need to include letters of recommendation with your initial application.

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.

This position will be open until finalists have been identified. Applications will be screened as they are received.

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