CIRES/ NOAA CSL Instrument Software Engineer (Associate Scientist)

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences ( CIRES ) at the University of Colorado seeks a support scientist/engineer to join the Aerosol Properties and Processes ( APP ) Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Chemical Sciences Laboratory ( CSL ) in Boulder, Colorado. If hired, you will work closely with a team of federal and CIRES scientists to design, modify, and implement data acquisition, control and communication software for a variety of custom research instruments that are used for laboratory and field atmospheric research, assist in instrument development and laboratory experiments, and help make measurements during field campaigns. Our group of 8 scientists and staff members in APP builds and adapts instruments and operates them on research aircraft to study how aerosol properties and related atmospheric processes affect climate and air quality.

We seek a person with experience and interest in data acquisition and control programming using National Instruments Labview software and microprocessor software. A bachelor’s degree or higher is required, preferably in an engineering field, physics, chemistry, atmospheric science or similar field. The ideal candidate would have experience with Labview programming and electronics and/or scientific instrumentation, communicate effectively, be science-motivated and self-directed, and collaborate well with scientists, engineers, and administrative staff . This job will be in the CIRES Associate Scientist career track.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

At CIRES, more than 800 environmental scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES is a partnership of NOAA and the University of Colorado Boulder, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at the Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, and solid Earth sciences. CIRES' vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

https://cires.colorado.edu/

In the NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory, researchers build instruments to make precise 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 air quality.

https://csl.noaa.gov/

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Support deployment of instrumentation during field missions (some travel required).
• Help with ongoing laboratory activities and maintenance of existing instruments.
• Assist in the design and construction of custom research instruments.
• Work closely with a team of federal and CIRES scientists to develop and implement data acquisition, instrument control, and communication software.

What You Should Know

• Contact Dr. Adam Ahern (adam.ahern@noaa.gov) of CIRES for further information concerning this position.
• If you are chosen for this position you will be required to pass a background investigation for site access.
• 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.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES can offer a generous compensation package. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $45,000- $80,000.
• Relocation funds are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• CIRES/NOAA provides an engaged and collaborative work environment and the opportunity to contribute to addressing important scientific questions of societal relevance. Within the APP group, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive team with extensive experience and success in carrying out atmospheric measurements from the surface to the stratosphere. CIRES offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, along with a generous benefits package. Boulder is consistently ranked highly (https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/best-places-to-live) for its quality of life and is nestled against the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be Balanced. Be Pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Commitment to a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to travel for local or international field deployments (occasionally, up to several weeks at a time).
• The ability for organized, self-directed work on multiple projects in parallel.
• Experience with data acquisition programming using National Instruments LabView.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in an engineering field, computer science, physics, chemistry, atmospheric science, geophysics, or related field, or equivalent experience.

What You Will Need

• Interest and enthusiasm for environmental science topics and scientific instrumentation.
• Eagerness to learn and apply new skills and programming languages.
• Excellent organizational skills and logical thinking ability.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Understanding of lasers and optics, power and signal wiring, and/or fluid flow.
• Interest in a wide diversity of technical projects.
• Design and/or operation of complex scientific instrumentation.
• Understanding of analog and digital electronics and data acquisition hardware.
• Proficiency in Labview object-oriented programming methods.
• Proficiency with embedded microprocessor (e.g., Arduino) installation and programming in C, C++, or other languages for data acquisition and control.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover letter briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position
3. Contact information for 3 references who would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you if you are selected as a finalist for the position.

Please notify your references in advance that you have listed them as possibly providing a letter of recommendation. If you are selected as a finalist, only 1 letter will be required. You will receive an email from the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department, asking you to specify which one of the references you would like to be contacted. Your reference will receive an email from CU Boulder Campus Human Resources and requested to upload the letter of recommendation through the link provided in the email. This letter will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.

If you are selected for the position, 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.

Full consideration will be given to applications received by June 30th, 2021, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

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

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Adam Ahern

Posting Contact Email: adam.ahern@noaa.gov