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CIRES / NCEI Space Plasma and Energetic Particles Data Analyst
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Position Number: 5777922
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Computer and Information Technology

CIRES / NCEI Space Plasma and Energetic Particles Data Analyst

Requisition Number: 60131
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 02-Dec-2024
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder has an immediate opening for an Associate Scientist supporting NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). This position is for a Space Plasma and Energetic Particles Instrument Data Analyst in NCEI's Solar and Terrestrial Physics (STP) Group. The STP group works to ensure that current and future space weather sensors on NOAA satellites provide effective operational products for use by the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC). STP's overall responsibilities also include providing spacecraft engineers and the scientific community access to NOAA's space environment data.

The Space Plasma and Energetic Particles Instrument Data Analyst will work with the instrument science team to develop, implement and test ground processing algorithms for NWS. They will also perform analysis contributing to on-orbit calibration and validation of NOAA's space-based particle sensors, including analysis of data from NOAA's GOES-R series and SWFO-L1 satellites. The GOES-R series particle detectors monitor plasma and energetic particles in the Earth's magnetosphere, including the Radiation Belts and Solar Energetic Particle events. SWFO-L1 includes a complement of space weather sensors that monitor the sun. The SWFO-L1 satellite is scheduled for launch in March 2025.
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 950 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 NCEI STP space weather team is responsible for oversight of the NOAA space weather sensors on several satellite constellations, including GOES, DSCOVR, and SWFO. These missions provide data critical for the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) efforts to protect life and property, as well as to the broader scientific community. The space weather team's responsibilities include calibration and validation of space weather measurements and data products, development of scientific processing algorithms used in real time to produce data for forecasters, development of retrospective algorithms to create scientifically authoritative (best') products, and prototyping real-time processing systems.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Perform analysis contributing to on-orbit calibration and validation of NOAA's space-based particle sensors (40%)
Assist with the development, implementation and testing of particle detector ground processing algorithms used by NWS-SWPC (30%)
Work with the instrument science team to diagnose and correct instrument and ground processing anomalies in space-based particle detector data (15%)
Document modifications to existing algorithms and descriptions of new algorithms (10%)
Report analysis results to the instrument science and development teams at weekly meetings (5%)
More senior associate scientists may be asked to take leadership duties, overseeing projects or supervising other employees

What You Should Know

Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylum, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply.
If you are the selected finalist, you will be required to successfully complete a federal background clearance process 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.

What We Can Offer

CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
The annual hiring salary range for this position is $57,942 - $101,555.
Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
Relocation funds are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado's relocation processes and procedures.
This position can accommodate a hybrid 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. Boulder was recently ranked as one of the top places to live in the U.S. by U.S. News.
As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

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 effective. Be open. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering plus 2 years work in a related field,

Or

a Master's degree in science or engineering

Due to the requirement to access export-controlled data and information, only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green cards), or other protected individuals (i.e., persons designated as an asylee, refugee, or a temporary resident under amnesty provisions) may apply to this position.

What You Will Need

Excellent analytical skills
Expertise with numerical analysis methods
Expertise in scientific code development in Python
Strong algorithm development skills and proficiency in high-level programming
Excellent oral and written communication skills and capacity for working in a team environment

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. Please note that a cover letter is mandatory and applicants who do not submit this document at the time of application will not be considered.
Although not required at the time of application, please be ready to offer contact information for 3 professional references who can be contacted on your behalf if you are identified as a finalist for this role. At least one of those references will be asked to write a letter of recommendation for you in support of your application.

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 (if applicable) as an optional attachment.

The position will close December 2, 2024.

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-NCEI-Space-Plasma-and-Energetic-Particles-Data-Analyst/60131