CIRES / NOAA Global Systems Laboratory, Post Doctoral Associate in Numerical Weather Prediction (Microphysics)

University of Colorado; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Relocation assistance

Job summary

CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in numerical weather prediction development focused on cloud microphysics. The role is based in Boulder, CO, within NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory, working with federal and university colleagues to advance microphysical parameterizations and precipitation forecasting.

The successful candidate will contribute to model development, collaborate with the physics branch, and publish scientific results.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in atmospheric science or a relevant field completed by Dec 1, 2026.
• Experience with numerical weather/climate prediction.
• Proficiency in Fortran/C++, Python, Linux and HPC environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hypothesis-driven research to improve microphysics parameterizations in NWP models.
• Collaborate with physics developers to inform future development.
• Prepare briefing materials and publish scientific content regularly.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Skills

NWP development

Fortran

C++

Python

Linux

Data processing

Visualization

Collaboration

Education

PhD in atmospheric science

Tools

NetCDF

GRIB2

High-performance computing

Job description

Requisition Number: 75052

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: Research Faculty

Schedule: Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 08-Oct-2026

Date Posted: 24-Sep-2026

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) encourages applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in numerical weather prediction (NWP) development (focused on microphysics) within NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) in Boulder, Colorado. The successful candidate will work in the Physics Branch of GSL's Earth Prediction Advancement Division alongside a number of federal and university employees engaged in development of NWP products for research and operations with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The successful candidate will use their expertise in NWP (preferably with additional expertise in cloud microphysics) to work collaboratively on model development, primarily focused microphysics parameterizations and precipitation.

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.

The Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) is one of ten NOAA Research laboratories and is located in Boulder, Colorado. GSL researchers develop innovative weather and air quality models, state-of-the-science decision support tools and visualization systems and use high-performance computing technology to support a Weather-Ready Nation. GSL strives to advance its workforce scientifically, technically, and professionally. We are also committed to fostering a collaborative workplace and a strong foundation for career growth.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Conduct hypothesis-driven research to improve the physical fidelity, accuracy, and/or efficiency of microphysics parameterizations within numerical weather prediction models, particularly as it relates to precipitating phenomena (60%).
• Collaborate with the lead microphysics parameterization developer and other physics parameterization developers within the branch to inform future development activities (20%).
• Prepare and/or contribute to the preparation of briefing materials and presentations for branch management, internal meetings, conferences, and workshops, and regularly publish scientific content (15%).
• Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).

What You Should Know

• This is a two-year appointment.
• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position. Given project deliverables, candidates must be eligible for full-time work and pass a federal clearance background check by the targeted start date of December 1, 2026.
• This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in the NOAA laboratory facility at the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305.
• If you are the finalist, you will be required to pass a federal background check. Non-US citizens without green cards will have limited building access and require a federal escort in the building.
• Travel to workshops and conferences (domestically and possibly internationally) is expected at least once per year.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $65,000- $70,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
• 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. 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 brilliant. Be supportive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A Ph.D. in atmospheric science or a relevant field of study (the defense and thesis revisions must be successfully completed by the targeted start date of December 1, 2026).

What You Will Need

• Proficiency with numerical weather and/or climate prediction.
• Proficiency in Fortran and/or C++, Python, high-performance computing, and Linux computing environments.
• Strong skills with data processing (e.g., of standard weather-model data formats such as NetCDF and GRIB2) and visualization of model output.
• A willingness to collaborate with the developers of relevant physical parameterizations that interact with microphysics in the branch, across NOAA, and in the broader community to improve the physical consistency within a physics parameterization suite.
• The ability to work as part of a team of diverse scientists, researchers, developers, engineers, and staff in a research environment.
• The ability to optimally communicate and collaborate within the branch, division, lab, and broader community.
• The ability to consistently promote, support, work, and act in a manner in support of CIRES' vision, mission and values.

What We Would Like You to Have

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 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 using and/or developing microphysical parameterizations (including bin, bulk, Lagrangian) in a numerical weather or climate model with a specific focus on understanding, improving, or developing microphysical parameterizations using relevant observations.
• Enthusiasm for conducting innovative numerical weather prediction model development to improve their physical realism and predictive skill for relevant forecast problems, including heavy precipitation, thunderstorms and their hazards, fog, freezing rain, aircraft icing, tropical cyclones, atmospheric rivers, lake-effect snow, and/or orographically induced precipitation.
• Knowledge of basic statistical learning techniques (such as neural networks).
• Experience participating in and/or working with observations from relevant field campaigns.
• Experience with community modeling approaches for numerical weather prediction, including developing physics parameterizations in an interoperable way such that they can be used with multiple host models.