Research Scientist I

CSU Spur; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

CSU Spur is seeking a Research Scientist I to work on machine learning models for smoke forecasting in a dynamic team environment. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. and possess strong programming skills to leverage big data and improve air quality modeling. This role offers the opportunity to engage in innovative research at the intersection of atmospheric science and environmental health.

Benefits

Robust benefits package

Collaborative atmosphere

Focus on work-life balance

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in relevant fields.
• Strong background in physics-based modeling and machine learning.
• Excellent communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop machine learning models for smoke forecasting.
• Integrate diverse data streams into ML models.
• Evaluate model performance and refine for real-time forecasting.

Skills

Machine learning

Scientific programming

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math

Tools

Python

R

C++

Fortran

Job description

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Posting Details

Posting Detail Information

Working Title Research Scientist I Position Location Fort Collins, CO Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person Research Professional Position Yes Posting Number 202500738AP Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional Classification Title Resch Sci/Scholar I Number of Vacancies Work Hours/Week 40 Proposed Annual Salary Range $65,000-$85,000 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!
  
  

Desired Start Date 08/01/2025 Position End Date (if temporary) To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 06/30/2025 Description of Work Unit

As one of the nation’s top public research universities, Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a land-grant institution, with enrollment of more than 34,000 students. CSU offers 76 undergraduate degree programs, 114 graduate degree programs, 21 professional master’s degree programs, and a Professional Veterinary Medicine program. CSU’s world-class research and scholarship attract more than $400 million in research funding annually, putting the university among top federally funded public universities without a medical school.

Fort Collins is an attractive community of approximately 170,000 located along the Colorado Front Range at the base of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The city is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It consistently ranks high on quality-of-life measures by numerous publications; see https://www.fcgov.com/visitor/awards for the complete list. The Front Range has developed into a high-tech hub with companies such as Woodward, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, IBM, Intel, Keysight Technologies, Broadcomm, AMD, Xilinx, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman located in or near Fort Collins. The city offers a pleasant climate, excellent schools, and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities nearby. For more information on Fort Collins, check out the City’s website: www.visitftcollins.com.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (MECH) at CSU offers a curriculum that integrates exceptional classroom learning and in-depth engineering practice for an unparalleled educational experience. Made up of 45 faculty members, 15 staff members, 1,200 undergraduate students, and 150 graduate students, MECH is one of the largest departments on CSU’s campus. State-of-the-art labs provide unmatched, hands-on experience to help undergraduate students conceptualize industry environments, and $18M in annual research expenditures provide groundbreaking opportunities focusing on health, materials, and energy, for graduate students to enhance their educational concentrations. Award-winning faculty offer industry and academic perspective and equip each graduate with the tools needed to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields.

The Mechanical Engineering program at CSU includes majors in both Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering-Mechanical Engineering; both curricula combine classroom learning with engineering practice. Our goal is to give our graduates the engineering skills they need to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. Our students are integral members of our research groups, and their thesis and dissertation topics focus on cutting-edge research. Further information about the Department can be found at www.engr.colostate.edu/me/.

The CSU Center for Energy Development and Health (CEDH) uses engineering fundamentals to solve air pollution problems that we face as a society. Our work is best described as Engineering for Public Health. The research group is a multidisciplinary group that values hard work, innovation, and a sense of play. Our research is designed to make a positive impact on health and welfare.

Position Summary

The Center for Energy Development and Health (CEDH) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering (WSCOE) at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking a Research Scientist. The project will include data science for large datasets and development of machine learning models for smoke forecasting. The selected individual will work in a multidisciplinary environment at the intersection of engineering, atmospheric science, statistics, and environmental health with a focus on air quality modeling, exposure science, and aerosol physics and chemistry.

Required Job Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math-related field;
• Strong background in physics-based modeling, machine learning, or inverse problems;
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, R, C++, Fortran);
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
• Legally authorized to work in the US by the proposed start date.
  
  

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Chemistry, Statistics, Computer Science, Applied Math;
• Experience with atmospheric modeling, including chemical transport models and chemistry-climate models;
• Experience with big data, including data assimilation and fusion; and
• Record of peer-reviewed publications and/or contributions to funded research proposals.
  
  

Essential Duties

Job Duty Category Development and Evaluation of Machine Learning Models for Smoke Forecasting Duty/Responsibility

• Lead the development of machine learning (ML) models to forecast ground-level concentrations of wildfire smoke;
• Integrate diverse data streams, including physics-based smoke forecasts, meteorological data, land use information, satellite retrievals, and ground-based air quality measurements, into the ML models;
• Train, validate, and test ML models using historical and real-time data, and evaluate model performance using appropriate metrics; and
• Refine models based on validation results and prepare them for implementing real-time forecasting.
  
  

Percentage Of Time 100%

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, which addresses how education and professional experiences align with identified required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume or CV, a complete list of publications (upload in Required Documents: Other), and the names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three (3) professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact. 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.

Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel - 10% Search Contact John Volckens, [e-mail] 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.

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.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested 3 Maximum Requested 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the start date. Mechanical Engineering will not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Will you be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by the proposed start date?
• Yes
• No
  

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume or CV
• Other
  
  

Optional Documents

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Higher Education

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