Associate Professor

University of Colorado; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Startup funds

Tuition assistance for you and depend.

Parental leave

Job summary

The University of Colorado Boulder is recruiting a tenure-track Associate Professor focused on advancing Arctic science with applications to environmental intelligence and national security. The role requires building an externally funded program and translating Earth science into improved observing, modeling, or decision-support tools.

The successful candidate will teach, mentor, and collaborate across institutes such as INSTAAR, CIRES, NSIDC, LASP, and NSI, with a department home to BE changes

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a relevant field at the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated record of federally funded research.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Lead externally funded research in Arctic/environmental intelligence.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses and mentor students.
• Develop collaborations across CU Boulder institutes and centers.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives across campus.
• Prepare and submit proposals to federal agencies supporting environmental intelligence and national security.

Education

Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Engineering, Geography, Oceanography, Physics, or a related field

Job description

Requisition Number: 75358

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: Faculty

Schedule: Full-Time

Date Posted: 12-Oct-2026

Job Summary

The University of Colorado Boulder is recruiting a tenure track faculty member at the Associate Professor level whose research advances understanding and prediction of the changing Arctic, with clear and demonstrated applications to environmental intelligence and national security.

The successful candidate will have a strong record of externally funded collaborative research and experience translating fundamental Earth science into improved observing, modeling, sensing, prediction, or decision-making capabilities. We seek candidates with a demonstrated record of research support from federal agencies that support environmental intelligence and national security research, including the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center (USACE ERDC) and its Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), or related federal programs.

The successful candidate will maintain a vigorous externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students and early-career researchers, and contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives across the CU Boulder campus.

The departmental tenure home will similarly be determined by the successful candidate's disciplinary expertise, with anticipated departmental homes including, but not limited to, Aerospace Engineering Sciences; Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences; Earth Science; Electrical, Computer, & Energy Engineering; or Geography.

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

This faculty search is being conducted by a group of interdisciplinary research institutes and centers at the University of Colorado Boulder: the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC, a CIRES center), the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), and the Center for National Security Initiatives (NSI). The candidate's primary institute or center affiliation will be determined based on their background, expertise, and research interests, allowing flexibility to identify the institutional home that provides the strongest fit.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Areas of expertise may include, but are not limited to:

• Arctic and polar system science
• Oceanography and atmospheric science
• Cryosphere-climate interactions
• Environmental conditions affecting polar operations
• Remote sensing and Earth observation
• Earth system and coupled modeling
• Environmental and geophysical prediction
• High-latitude observing systems and field programs
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

What You Should Know

Due to the nature, scope and sponsor of the work, the position is limited to only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees, with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

For more information about clearance requirements please visit: https://www.dcsa.mil/Personnel-Security/Background-Investigations-for-Applicants/Investigations-Clearance-Process/

The University of Colorado Boulder has implemented a reference check program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty appointments. The reference check program is intended to allow CU Boulder to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their current and previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination, before making hiring decisions. All final candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information.

What We Can Offer

• This faculty position will be filled at the Associate Professor level.
• The anticipated salary range for this full-time, 9-month position at the Associate Professor rank is $120,000 - $137,000. Final salary determinations will be based on candidate experience and pay equity alignment with institute and department peers.
• This position can raise an additional 3 months of summer salary from grants or other funds.
• Funds are available for a competitive startup package. Office, lab, and student space needs will be determined in consultation with the successful candidate.
• A relocation stipend may be included in startup package calculations.
• In addition to a competitive salary, the University of Colorado Boulder offers gender-neutral paid parental leave; backup child, adult, and elder care through Bright Horizons; housing down-payment assistance programs; teaching, research, and professional development programs; and the University of Colorado tuition assistance benefits program.

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. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Engineering, Geography, Oceanography, Physics, or a related field at the time of appointment
• Demonstrated record of research support from federal agencies that support environmental intelligence and national security research
• A strong commitment to effective teaching and to mentoring of early career scientists