CIRES​/NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Atmospheric Aerosol Research Scientist

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.

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. (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

• 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 (). 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%)

• 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,…