23-118 Scientific Analyst

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 12 months ago
Location: Boulder, COLORADO
Deadline: 10 Apr 2023

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title 23-118 Scientific Analyst
Position Location Boulder, CO
Work Location Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202300551AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate II
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $60,000-95,000 Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date 05/01/2023
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/10/2023
Description of Work Unit
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) have an immediate opening for a full time, professional research associate. The scientist will have an office within the Global Systems Laboratory, located in Boulder, Colorado. As the office is located in a federal facility, it requires the ability to pass a NACI (Tier 1) federal background check. An onsite presence at the laboratory in Boulder, CO is required with the option for part-time telework.
The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) is a multi-million dollar research organization located on CSU’s Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. CIRA is a cooperative institute 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 NOAA, Colorado State University, the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit.
GSL 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 observing, 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.
The Verification and Assessment Branch (VAB) within the Assimilation, Scientific Computing, and Evaluation Novel Division of GSL is seeking a scientific research analyst with meteorological and quantitative skills to support the evaluation of weather forecasts, develop impact-based verification metrics and assessment approaches, interface with current and potential sponsors, and work with aviation operational specialists to develop foundational concepts for building new aviation decision support tools.
Position Summary
The individual in this position will collaborate with stakeholders and other team members to assess the quality of weather products used in operational decision-making. They will be responsible for assessment development and implementation, data analysis, and communicating findings in technical talks and reports. They will also work with software engineers to incorporate techniques in verification and decision support tools. This position will report to a CIRA Scientific Analyst. The individual selected for this position will be assigned the title of Research Associate II or Research Associate III based on the education and experience qualifications.
Required Job Qualifications
In your cover letter, please specifically address EACH qualification. A cover letter that fails to address the required qualifications for this position may not be considered further after review by the search committee.
RA II Required Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (minimum M.S.) in Mathematics, Physical Science (especially, Meteorology/Atmospheric Science), or related field.


RA III Required Qualifications
  • Advanced degree (minimum M.S.) in Mathematics, Physical Science (especially, Meteorology/Atmospheric Science), or related field AND
  • Two (2)+ years of relevant work experience OR
  • PhD in Mathematics, Physical Science (especially, Meteorology/Atmospheric Science), or related field

Required qualifications for both classifications
  • Demonstrated skill in data analysis and interpretation of statistical information.
  • Demonstrated skill in producing reports of scientific findings, both in written and presentation form.
  • Demonstrated experience performing analysis with languages or packages such as python, R, or Matlab.
  • Proficiency in a Linux environment.
  • The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start date. CIRA will not sponsor a visa for this position now or in the future.
  • Ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Tier 1 federal background check because the position is located inside a federal facility.
Preferred Job Qualifications
In your cover letter, please specifically address the applicable preferred qualifications for this position. A cover letter that fails to address the preferred qualifications for this position may not be considered further after review by the search committee.
  • Demonstrated ability to think critically.
  • Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated understanding of meteorological phenomena relevant to aviation operations.
  • Experience using forecast verification techniques.
  • Proficiency with meteorological data such as satellite, radar, and model data, and formats such as grib and netCDF.
  • Knowledge of aviation operations and decision-making processes
  • Experience with open-source RDBMS such as MySQL and PostgreSQL and/or NoSQL
  • Experience interfacing with stakeholders regarding project requirements and reporting on project results.
  • Adept at time management and working on multiple projects concurrently.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Technical Implementation and Scientific Analysis
Duty/Responsibility
  • Perform technical implementation of new, operationally-relevant verification techniques using scripting languages such as python, for use in quality assessments and possibly decision support tools.
  • Manage datasets and processing necessary to support research and development and product evaluation activities.
  • Work with engineers as needed to incorporate concepts and code into automated verification and decision support tools.
  • Work within an evaluation team throughout a product evaluation project to achieve project milestones within time and budget constraints.
  • Coordinate with product developers and stakeholders throughout product evaluation to ensure thorough understanding of product characteristics and adherence to evaluation requirements.
  • Perform extensive analysis of assessment results and summarize findings and conclusions in formal written reports and oral presentations to product developers and stakeholders.
Percentage Of Time 75
Job Duty Category Collaborative Research
Duty/Responsibility
  • Research, develop, and implement scientific concepts to support comprehensive forecast assessments using operationally-relevant verification techniques. Techniques involve incorporating operational criteria, using both weather and operations information, and combining and comparing data products of differing characteristics and formats.
  • Research new observation sets and develop verification techniques to use them in product evaluations.
  • Interface with users, including weather forecasters and aviation decision makers, to learn how weather information is used to make aviation decisions.
  • Present research status and findings to sponsors and peer organizations, and participate in workshops and conferences.
Percentage Of Time 20
Job Duty Category Documentation and Reporting
Duty/Responsibility
  • Prepare software documentation in collaboration with team members.
  • Prepare status reports as required by the project sponsor and CIRA.
  • Prepare and deliver technical talks and presentations as requested.
Percentage Of Time 5

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
In your cover letter, please specifically address EACH requirement as relates to your experience. A cover letter that fails to address the required qualifications for this position may not be considered further after review by the search committee.
References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Special Requirements/Other - ? Ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) Tier 1 federal background check because the position is located inside a federal facility
Search Contact [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
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.

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