CIRES / NOAA Global Systems Laboratory, Land Surface Modeler
Requisition Number: 68655
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 12-Dec-2025
Date Posted:
Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) in Boulder, Colorado and the NOAA Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) have an immediate opening for a Research Scientist . This position will be responsible for advancing NOAA's goals in Earth system prediction, specifically in the aspect of land-atmosphere modeling. The successful candidate will serve as a land-surface model (LSM) developer or lead in the Physics branch of the Earth Prediction Advancement Division and contribute to or lead the planning and development of land-surface modeling activities. Experience with the Unified Forecast System (UFS) is preferable. As part of this team, the hired individual will have the opportunity to influence the science and advancement of future operational modeling systems developed in part at GSL.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
CIRES (https://cires.colorado.edu/) is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. 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 Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) (https://gsl.noaa.gov/) is one of ten NOAA Research laboratories and is located in Boulder, Colorado. GSL researchers develop state-of-the-art weather and air quality models, state-of-the-science decision support tools and visualization systems and use high-performance computing technology to support a Weather-Ready Nation. GSL strives to advance its workforce scientifically, technically, and professionally. We are also committed to increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility as well as a strong foundation for career growth.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
For RS I level appointments:
Serves as a land-surface model (LSM) developer in the Physics branch of NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory Earth Prediction Advancement Division. Contributes to the planning and development of land-surface modeling activities (30%).
Serves as a subject matter expert on a team of scientific, technical, administrative, and engineering professionals, helping to inform LSM development efforts in NOAA (5%).
Designs, conducts, and evaluates hypothesis-driven surface-related experiments to improve the representation of one or more specific land- and/or ice-surface physics processes in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models (30%).
Provides feedback to the developers of other components of the physics suite to help better understand LSM errors (10%).
Contributes innovations to public-facing code repositories associated with the LSM (5%).
Participates within the broader LSM community, such as by collaborating with LSM end users and/or developers within and beyond NOAA, attending relevant conferences and workshops, and regularly publishing research findings (10%).
Prepares briefing materials and presentations for branch management, conferences, and workshops, and regularly publishes scientific content (10%).
For RS II level appointments:
Serve as the land-surface model development lead, driving the planning and development of the land-surface modeling activities (30%).
Serves as a subject matter expert on a team of scientific, technical, administrative, and engineering professionals, helping to inform LSM development efforts in NOAA (5%).
Designs, conducts, and evaluates hypothesis-driven experiments to improve the overall representation of land- and ice-surface physics (30%).
Coordinates with the ongoing research and development in other components of the physics suite to help isolate numerical weather prediction model errors (10%).
Contributes innovations to public-facing code repositories associated with the LSM (5%).
Strengthens partnerships with the LSM community (10%).
Contributes to formulating, executing, and tracking program/project priorities for LSM development, in addition to preparing briefing materials and presentations and regularly publishing scientific content (10%).
For RS III level appointments:
Serve as the land-surface model development lead, driving the planning and development of the land-surface modeling activities (30%).
Provides direction for LSM development, planning, and implementation in NOAA (5%).
Designs, conducts, and evaluates hypothesis-driven experiments to improve the overall representation of land- and ice-surface physics and their interactions with other physics parameterizations (30%).
Coordinates with the ongoing research and development in other components of the physics suite to help isolate numerical weather prediction model errors (10%)
Contributes innovations to public-facing code repositories associated with the LSM (5%).
Develops and strengthens partnerships with the LSM community (10%).
Formulates, executes, and tracks program/project priorities for LSM development, in addition to preparing briefing materials and presentations and regularly publishing scientific content (10%).
What You Should Know
This is a 2-year position with the possibility of extension based on funding availability.
Given project deliverables, candidates must be able to start work by March 1st, 2026.
This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in the NOAA Global Systems Laboratory located within the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305.
If you are the selected finalist, you will be required to pass a federal laboratory background clearance for site access.
Non-US citizens without green cards may have limited building access and require an escort in the building.
What We Can Offer
CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
The annual hiring salary range for this position is $74,933-$135,896. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career-track classification.
This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
Some relocation funds are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado's relocation processes and procedures.
CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development, and a Mentorship Program.
Boulder (https://bouldercolorado.gov/) 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, (https://www.rtd-denver.com/) 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 (https://www.colorado.edu/) , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package (https://www.colorado.edu/jobs/benefits) 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 (https://advantage.cu.edu/campus/cu-boulder) program.
Be Statements
Be enlightened. Be talented. Be Boulder.
What We Require
A Ph.D. in Atmospheric, Oceanic, Earth Science, or a related field.
Experience in Earth system modeling.
Experience with high-performance computing
At least one year of experience developing and evaluating LSM components within numerical weather prediction models.
What You Will Need
Attributes for the RS I level appointment
Proficiency in at least one programming language used in Earth science for data analysis and plotting (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
Excellent oral/written communication skills.
Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks in an environment that requires flexibility.
Capability to work both individually and as part of a professional team. Ability to think critically and solve problems.
Knowledge of research methods or approaches to verify land-surface forecasts.
Knowledge of innovative numerical weather prediction models.
Knowledge of LSM designs, methods, data, and/or tools.
Additional attributes for the RS II level appointment
At least three years of experience developing and evaluating LSMs and their components within numerical weather prediction models.
Knowledge of research methods or approaches to improve LSM-related predictions.
Additional attributes for the RS III level appointment
At least seven years of experience developing and evaluating LSMs and their components within numerical weather prediction models.
Knowledge of research methods or approaches to improve LSM coupling to other numerical weather prediction model components (e.g., boundary-layer, shallow and deep convection, microphysics, and radiation) and verify land-surface forecasts.
Special Instructions
To apply please submit the following materials with your application:
Resume or CV.
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
Although not needed at the time of application, please be ready to submit contact information for 5 professional references. If you are identified as a finalist for this position, you will be asked to invite your references to complete a Crosschq questionnaire on your behalf. Crosschq is an online reference check solution. All information is kept confidential and shared only with the members of the search committee.
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.
Posting to close December 12, 2025.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs (https://jobs.colorado.edu/) .
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-NOAA-Global-Systems-Laboratory-Land-Surface-Modeler/68655 (https://apptrkr.com/6744266)
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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
