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CIRES / NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Research Scientist in Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Air Pollutant Measurements

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Position Number: 7157760
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Science - Chemistry

CIRES / NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, Research Scientist in Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Air Pollutant Measurements

Requisition Number: 71884
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 03-Jun-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at CU Boulder encourages applications for a research scientist position within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, Colorado. This role will contribute to the Tropospheric Chemistry Program, working alongside federal and university employees engaged in research investigating trace gases and aerosol particles and their impacts on atmospheric composition and weather. Our group develops and deploys world-class instrumentation to measure these species in the field on stationary and mobile research platforms, including research aircraft.

The successful candidate will become a key member of the FarmFlux Science Team, CIRES, and NOAA CSL's Tropospheric Chemistry Program. This position involves investigating the emissions and atmospheric chemistry of greenhouse gases and other reactive nitrogen species, including ammonia and nitrous oxide, during the NASA FarmFlux Earth Venture Suborbital program (EVS-4) in 2027. This role offers a unique opportunity to conduct airborne atmospheric composition and chemistry research using state-of-the-art instrumentation to study the nitrogen cycle between agricultural systems and the atmosphere. The candidate will participate in field research, collecting in-situ atmospheric observations aboard a NASA heavy-lift research aircraft during the FarmFlux mission. These data will then be used in airborne eddy covariance flux calculations, emissions source identification and source apportionment analyses, and thermodynamic models. Results will be used for comparisons to emissions inventories and assessments of the air quality and climate impacts of the related emissions and atmospheric processes. Airborne sampling will concentrate on agricultural regions in the Midwestern U.S. and California. This position requires domestic travel for field work and scientific meetings totaling up to 3 months per year.

CSL has a collaborative lab culture, and we are looking for a candidate who actively subscribes to this philosophy. Successful candidates will demonstrate competence and sensitivity in working in a collaborative community.
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.

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.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Independently operate, calibrate, and maintain a suite of commercial and custom-built analyzers (e.g., infrared laser spectrometers) within the Tropospheric Chemistry Program instrument suite for measuring greenhouse gases and reactive nitrogen species, including CO, CO, CH, NO, ethane, and ammonia. Assist in maintaining associated calibration systems and other instruments in both laboratory and field environments. (30%)
Support the deployment and operation of these trace gas analyzers on airborne platforms such as the NASA P-3, with anticipated participation in the FarmFlux mission in 2027. Responsibilities include instrument integration, operation during flights, and travel to remote field locations for extended periods. (20%)
Analyze and interpret multi-parameter datasets collected during field campaigns and laboratory experiments using existing software tools to analyze data and ensure high-quality data products. Collaborate with other instrument investigators to support integrated data interpretation. (20%)
Develop scientific findings based on observations and analyses, and present results at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed publications. (20%)
Collaborate with a team to develop and enhance instrument measurement and calibration capabilities, including advancing methodologies, tools, and new software relevant to future airborne missions. (10%)

What You Should Know

The targeted start date for the appointment is August 1, 2026.
This is a 2-year position with the possibility for extension.
The field campaign includes up to 10 weeks of domestic travel for aircraft integration and two deployment phases, as well as an additional week of international travel anticipated within the first year of employment.
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, CO 80305, on a federal research campus.
If you are the selected finalist, you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access. Non-U.S. citizens without green cards may have limited building access and may require an escort within the facility.
Contact Ilana Pollack (pollacki@colorado.edu) with any questions.

What We Can Offer

CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
The annual hiring salary range for this position is $72,000 to $84,450. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career-track classification.
Relocation funds are available to help offset expenses, following CIRES and the University of Colorado's relocation processes and procedures.
This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
The 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. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be entrepreneurial. Be successful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

A Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, atmospheric sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field.
Experience with the operation and maintenance of complex instrumentation for collecting atmospheric observations in a laboratory and field environment.
Experience in experimental physical sciences and data analysis.
Experience with data interpretation for the presentation of scientific results at meetings and publication in scientific journals.
Ability to perform required duties associated with two 4-week domestic field deployments in support of the airborne FarmFlux science mission.

What You Will Need

Expertise in data analysis and interpretation, leading to the presentation of scientific results at meetings and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals on topics addressing contemporary atmospheric problems.
Proficiency in data processing and analysis software (e.g., IGOR, MATLAB, R, Python) and presentation/publishing tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, PowerPoint).
Capability for conducting self-guided, highly motivated, and independent research.
Knowledge of and experience with operation, trouble-shooting, deployment of research-grade scientific equipment.
Excellent oral/written communication skills.
Ability to work well with other researchers and support staff in a diverse and collaborative research environment.
Ability to work effectively in a team and contribute to the development of original research projects.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV.
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
Although not needed at the time of application, please be ready to submit contact information for 5 professional references. If you are identified as a finalist for this position, you will be asked to invite your references to complete a Crosschq questionnaire on your behalf. Crosschq is an online reference check solution. All information is kept confidential and shared only with the members of the search committee.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

This position will close June 3, 2026.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NOAA-Chemical-Sciences-Laboratory-Research-Scientist-in-Greenhouse-Gas-and-Ammonia-Air-Pollutant-Measurements/71884