CIRES / NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory: Research Scientist III in U.S. Coastal Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Predictability Studies using Physical and Empirical Dynamical Models
University of Colorado Boulder
Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is seeking a Research Scientist III to provide scientific research leadership for a collaborative team advancing the science of subseasonal-to-seasonal prediction of the atmosphere and ocean, especially those relevant to extreme water levels along the U.S. coastline. The candidate will use expertise in the physics and dynamics of the climate system to guide and lead the next generation of scientists and will be responsible for developing improved sub-seasonal-to-seasonal forecast guidance, including the identification of forecast opportunities. The hired individual will be expected to perform novel research, transition research projects to CO-OPS and CPC operations, serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on funded projects, supervise employees, and collaborate with external partners: They will interact with Federal PSL staff, NOAA scientists and forecasters, CIRES employees working at PSL, and external partners including the National Ocean Service’s (NOS) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) and the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Climate Prediction Center (CPC).
Who We Are
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 NOAA-Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) mission is to conduct scientific research to observe, understand, model, predict and forecast weather, water and climate extremes and their impacts. Our vision is an informed society that uses science-based environmental intelligence to effectively anticipate and respond to threats and opportunities related to weather, water, and climate extremes. Our research goals are as follows:
- Rigorously characterize and predict weather, water, and climate extremes and their uncertainties to support NOAA's mission.
- Develop new process-understanding, observing, and modeling capabilities to predict conditions associated with too much or too little water for early warning, preparedness, resource management, and adaptation.
- Improve the monitoring and prediction of weather, climate, and water conditions that impact marine resources.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Lead a team of scientists to improve the skill, reliability, and interpretability of coastal water level predictions for use in real-time subseasonal-to-seasonal outlooks of the risks of high tide flooding along the U.S. coastline (25%)
- Provide scientific and technical leadership to develop and transition experimental subseasonal-to-seasonal outlooks, including the risks of high tide flooding along the U.S. coastline for operational use (25%)
- Lead the development of advanced statistical techniques that identify oceanic, tropical, and stratospheric sources of predictability to enhance subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasts of atmospheric, land surface, and oceanic conditions (20%)
- Prepare proposals, prepare and present results to scientific audiences and to stakeholders via journal publications, conference presentations, and/or user-group meetings; and participate in national and/or international planning committees, working groups and/or panels. (15%)
- Supervision of junior team members working to support the project (10%)
- Performs other outreach, education, and service duties as necessary. (5%)
What You Should Know
- This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically located at the NOAA laboratory facility at the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305.
- If you are selected for this position, you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access. Non-US citizens without Permanent Resident Cards (“green cards”) will have limited building access and require an escort in the building.
- Given project deliverables, candidates must be able to start work by February 1st, 2026.
- Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position. Candidates working in the United States through a visa or a work permit or needing sponsorship now or in the future are not eligible for hire in this role.
What We Can Offer
- CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
- The annual hiring salary range for this position is $89,500- $118,900. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career-track classification.
- This position can accommodate a hybrid (in-office and at-home) work modality.
- CIRES and the University of Colorado boulder offer 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
What We Require
- A PhD in atmospheric, earth, marine, or related Physical Sciences.
- At least 10 years of experience (beyond Ph.D.) in sustained research on oceanic, tropical, and stratospheric sources of variability and predictability, on subseasonal-to-seasonal time scales, of atmospheric, land surface, and coastal oceanic conditions.
- Experience working with and transitioning products to NOAA operational centers.
What You Will Need
- Experience conducting and overseeing original research using global earth system models, regional ocean models, empirical models and/or observation-based process understanding, applicable to coastal ocean prediction, atmospheric, and land surface prediction.
- Experience conducting and overseeing research involving the physics and dynamics of the climate system and/or in statistical, data-driven analysis techniques to identify oceanic, tropospheric, and stratospheric sources of coastal predictability.
- Experience in the development and/or evaluation of experimental and operational prediction systems focused on providing actionable forecasts for a wide range of potential users on sub-seasonal to annual time scales, including the impact of vertical land motion and externally-forced trends on sub-seasonal to seasonal coastal sea level skill, for atmospheric and oceanic conditions impacting predictions of variations in mean sea level along the North American coastline.
- Ability to work and communicate effectively within a team environment and to facilitate communications across multiple teams and multiple organizational units.
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 with statistical and/or dynamical coastal prediction techniques.
- Experience with scientific analysis and visualization tools.
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 required at the time of application, please be ready to submit contact information for professional references (name, title, professional relationship, email) who may be contacted on your behalf. If you are selected as a finalist for this role, the search committee will request a letter of recommendation at a later time.
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.
The position will close on January 7, 2026. Applications will be screened as they are received.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.