26-118: Ensemble Prediction Researcher

Colorado State University; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) seeks a Research Scientist to advance next-generation ensemble weather prediction with NOAA’s GSL in Boulder, CO. The role emphasizes developing probabilistic forecasts, testing innovative methods, and producing actionable decision-support tools for stakeholders.

Required are extensive experience with ensemble systems, programming in Fortran/C++, Python, and HPC on Linux, plus strong communication of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Atmospheric Science or related field with substantial experience, or Master’s with significant experience, or PhD with experience as applicable (RA IV/RA III).
• Experience with ensemble weather prediction systems and balancing probabilistic skill with forecast dispersion.
• 2+ years developing and evaluating numerical weather prediction model experiments; experience with Fortran/C++/Python, HPC, Linux; proven scientific communication.

Responsibilities

• Apply understanding to design and evaluate skillful high-resolution ensemble weather prediction systems.
• Refine ensemble generation and evaluation methods and test innovations for probabilistic forecast skill.
• Prepare briefing materials and publish scientific content; may supervise 1–3 staff.
• Contribute to hypothesis-driven experiments to advance regional/global ensemble models.

Skills

Ensemble prediction experience

Fortran/C++

Python

HPC

Linux environments

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Atmospheric Science

MS in Atmospheric Science

Tools

Fortran

C++

Python

HPC

Linux

Job description

Job Description The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) seeks to fill a full-time Research Scientist position designed to conduct collaborative research with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) located at the Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) in Boulder, CO. The individual in this position will work in the NOAA/OAR/GSL Earth Prediction Advancement Division (EPAD) Physics Branch. CIRA at Colorado State University is a multi-million-dollar research organization located on CSU's Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. CIRA is a cooperative institute that is also a research department within CSU's College of Engineering, in partnership with the Department of Atmospheric Science. Its vision is to conduct interdisciplinary research in the atmospheric sciences by entraining skills beyond the meteorological disciplines, exploiting advances in engineering and computer science, facilitating transitional activity between pure and applied research, leveraging both national and international resources and partnerships, and assisting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, CSU, the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit. NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory is a federal science and research laboratory under NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. GSL provides the National Weather Service (NWS) and the nation with environmental observation, prediction, computer, visualization, and information systems. These systems deliver data, forecasts, and predictions of weather, including severe weather events, within the next few minutes to weeks away. GSL is a leader in the applied research, directed development, and technology transfer of environmental data, models, products, and services that enhance environmental understanding with the outcome of supporting commerce, protecting life and property, and promoting a scientifically literate public.

Position Summary:

The individual in this position will contribute to the development of next-generation ensemble (or probabilistic) numerical weather prediction systems. They will contribute scientific understanding to inform how these systems are designed and how they can be leveraged to provide effective decision-support guidance to end users. Major duties will include contributing to the refinement of existing ensemble generation and evaluation methods; applying scientific understanding to help identify and implement innovations for improving probabilistic forecast skill and spread; and contributing to designing, conducting, and evaluating the outputs of hypothesis-driven ensemble numerical weather prediction experiments. The person in this role is expected to help contribute to the goal of developing high-resolution, regional and global, ensemble weather prediction systems that are skillful, reliable, physically realistic, and useful to a wide range of stakeholders. This position will report to the CIRA Associate Director. Full Consideration Date: Monday, October 26, 2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Conditions of Employment:

This position allows for a hybrid working modality that, with satisfactory performance, allows for up to 2 days per week of telework. This position is open to foreign nationals working on visas. At this time, CIRA is unable to cover the costs of permanent residency applications. Foreign nationals on visas from countries defined by the US government from “Country Group E” (Iran, Syria, North Korea, Cuba) are ineligible to work in federal facilities and therefore are ineligible to be hired for this position.

Essential Job Duties:

Apply scientific understanding to inform the design of skillful and reliable high-resolution ensemble weather prediction and decision-support systems. Contribute to the refinement and evaluation of existing ensemble prediction methods. Assist with developing and testing novel ensemble methods, including but not limited to artificial intelligence applications. Contribute to designing, conducting, and evaluating hypothesis-driven experiments to test innovations for improving probabilistic forecast skill and generating appropriate dispersion. Prepare briefing materials and presentations for branch management, internal meetings, conferences, and workshops, and regularly publish scientific content. Supervision: This position may supervise 1-3 employees.

Required Qualifications:

• RA IV Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Atmospheric Science or related field plus 10 years of relevant work experience, or Master’s Degree in Atmospheric Science or related field plus 5 years of relevant work experience, or PhD in Atmospheric Science plus 2 years of relevant work experience.
• RA III Education Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Atmospheric Science or related field plus 5 years of relevant work experience, or Master’s Degree in Atmospheric Science or related field plus 2 years of relevant work experience, or a recent PhD in Atmospheric Science.
• Required Qualifications for all Classifications: Experience with ensemble weather prediction systems, including knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses for balancing probabilistic skill with appropriate forecast dispersion. At least two years of experience in developing, running, and evaluating numerical weather prediction model experiments. At least two years of experience in Fortran and/or C++, Python, high-performance computing, and Linux computing environments. Experience communicating scientific results, such as through conference presentations, seminars, technical reports, and/or publications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with designing, running, and/or evaluating the output from ensemble numerical weather prediction systems. Understanding of methods for verifying ensemble/probabilistic weather prediction forecasts. Understanding of state-of-the-art regional (particularly thunderstorm-resolving) and/or global numerical weather prediction models. Familiarity with artificial intelligence applications for weather prediction, particularly those that can provide probabilistic forecast information. Experience using and contributing to community modeling systems. Experience with NOAA’s Unified Forecast System (UFS), the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and/or the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS).

Application Instructions:

Applications must be submitted via online portal. We will not accept materials sent via email or other mode. NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all required qualifications and applicable preferred qualifications when describing your work experience. A cover letter that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee. Likewise, an online application with a generic cover letter or missing a cover letter may not be further considered after review by the search committee. References will be requested for finalists and will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

Salary Range

RA III: $95,000 - $105,000
RA IV: $110,000-$125,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Review our detailed benefits information here. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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