26-114 Boundary-Layer Physics Parameterization Developer

Eligible for hybrid/on-site work

Boulder, CO

Full time

R2026106707

Job Description

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) seeks to fill a full-time Postdoctoral Associate position designed to conduct collaborative research and development 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.

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere 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 (CI) 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:

This Postdoctoral Fellowship is a 12-month appointment with a flexible start date between 1 October 2026 and 31 December 2026, with the option to renew for an additional year contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding. The successful candidate will conduct hypothesis-driven research to improve the physical fidelity, accuracy, and/or efficiency of the MYNN-EDMF planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization, the development of which is led by the GSL EPAD Physics Branch. A major focus for this position is contributing to the extension of MYNN-EDMF to parameterizing three-dimensional subgrid-scale turbulence for kilometer- and sub-kilometer-scale numerical weather prediction applications. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute new developments that improve the MYNN-EDMF PBL parameterization and/or its integration with other physics parameterizations (e.g., subgrid-scale clouds, cloud microphysics, surface layer, land-surface model, etc.). This position will report to the CIRA Atmospheric Physics Development and Implementation Scientist.

Full consideration date:

For full consideration, please apply by Friday, 9/11/2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Essential Job Duties:

• Conduct hypothesis-driven, meteorologically informed research to improve the physical fidelity, accuracy, and/or efficiency of planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations in numerical weather prediction models, particularly as it relates to storm-scale to sub-kilometer models.

• Collaborate with the lead PBL parameterization developer and other parameterization developers within the branch to inform future development activities.

• 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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Initially, this position will require onsite presence. If project circumstances allow and with satisfactory performance, up to 2 days per week of telework may be allowed.

• This full-time position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI), tier 1 federal background check and a NOAA Common Access Card (CAC) ID badge for systems access. Therefore, only US citizens and lawful permanent residents with a physical USCIS “Green Card” are eligible.

Supervision:

The individual in this position will not supervise employees.

Required Qualifications:

NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all required qualifications when describing your work experience. A resume that fails to specifically address the qualifications of this position will not be further considered by the search committee.

• A Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science or related field completed before the start of the appointment.

• At least two years of experience with numerical weather and/or climate prediction.

• At least two years of experience in Fortran and/or C++, Python, high-performance computing, and Linux computing environments.

• Experience using and/or developing PBL parameterizations in appropriate numerical weather prediction models with a specific focus on understanding and/or improving PBL parameterizations.

• Experience communicating scientific results, such as through conference presentations, seminars, technical reports, and/or publications.

Preferred Qualifications

NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all applicable preferred qualifications when describing your work experience. A resume that fails to specifically address the qualifications of this position will not be further considered after review by the search committee.

• Experience using relevant observations and/or outputs from numerical weather prediction model simulations to inform PBL parameterization evaluation and/or development.

• Knowledge of synoptic and mesoscale weather and the ability to link PBL processes to weather scenarios.

• Knowledge of existing approaches for parameterizing three-dimensional turbulence for and/or representing urbanization in very-high-resolution numerical weather prediction models.

• Knowledge of appropriate research methods or approaches to investigate improvements in PBL-related predictions, coupling of PBL parameterizations to other model components (e.g., the surface-layer, land-surface, cumulus, and microphysics parameterizations), and verification of boundary-layer fields.

• Knowledge of a variety of PBL processes, parameterization approaches, methods of processing PBL data, and related software tools.

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 resume 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

$70,000- 75,000 commensurate with experience can qualifications.

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. (http://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. (http://hr.colostate.edu/total-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.

Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

Prospective Employees, click here to learn more about CSU's perks and purpose. (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/)

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