26-105: Data Analyst

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 (CI) 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 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CSU, the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit.  Expanding on this Vision, our Mission is to serve as a nexus for multi-disciplinary cooperation among CI and NOAA research scientists, University faculty, staff and students in the context of NOAA-specified research theme areas in satellite applications for weather/climate forecasting. Important bridging elements of the CI include the communication of research findings to the international scientific community, transition of applications and capabilities to NOAA operational users, education and training programs for operational user proficiency, outreach programs to K-12 education and the general public for environmental literacy, and understanding and quantifying the societal impacts of NOAA research.

CIRA seeks to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow for its collaborative research with the National Park Service (NPS) Air Resources Division (ARD).  The NPS is responsible for the protection of visual air quality and other air quality related values in all national park units.  To this end, ARD, in collaboration with other agencies, manages national networks of air quality monitors of speciated fine particulates, haze, ozone and deposition in over 100 park units.  The ARD also conducts in-depth special studies to address specific questions about the levels and origin of air pollutants in national parks and to further develop and improve field and laboratory methodologies.  ARD and CIRA play leadership roles in the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) visibility network.  IMPROVE was established to monitor visibility in national parks and wilderness areas and provides the representative speciated particle monitoring required under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Regional Haze Rule (RHR).  The RHR, promulgated in 1999, calls on states to establish goals and reduce emissions to improve visibility in 156 mandatory federal Class I areas where visibility is an important attribute.

This Postdoctoral Fellowship is a 12-month appointment with a flexible start date between 1 May 2026 and 1 July 2026, and option to renew for an additional year contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding.  The individual in this Fellowship will report to the project Principal Investigator and work with both CIRA and NPS researchers in the Fort Collins office to support ARD monitoring and data analysis assessments for the IMPROVE and RHR programs through analysis of aerosol and visibility data. Projects will involve analyzing air quality data and using dispersion, regional, and/or global chemical transport models for diagnostic purposes. Potential projects will primarily support the IMPROVE and RHR programs, including optimization of the IMPROVE monitoring network using AI/machine learning methods, if applicable. Projects may also include exploring applications for global modeling to offer new insights into natural conditions used in the RHR metrics.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the start of the position because CIRA will not sponsor any type of visa for this position now nor in the future.
• This position requires onsite presence because it requires significant collaboration with on-site teams.

• The individual in this position will not supervise employees.

• Analyze measured and modeled air quality data to understand the causal mechanisms of elevated pollutant levels in class I areas.  This will include investigating the contributions of emissions from specific sources and source categories as well as the roles of atmospheric chemistry and meteorology.
• Analyze aerosol, nephelometer and low-cost sensor data to estimate visibility metrics to support the RHR;
• Explore potential use of global modeling data for estimates of natural conditions for the RHR;
• Explore possible uses for AI/machine learning to help inform network optimization.
• contribute to and lead scientific studies that serve the NPS-ARD mission;
• Develop scientific ideas and skills that may contribute to future proposals and foster more opportunities for independent research.
• Attend scientific conferences and present results;
• Coordinate and collaborate with other team members working on IMPROVE data analyses.
• Share research results with colleagues and the broader scientific community through progress reports, meetings, scientific conferences, and contributions to journal publications.

NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all required qualifications when describing your work experience.  A resume that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee.

• Ph.D. in atmospheric science or related physical or environmental science discipline. Applicants must successfully complete their Ph.D. defense before the starting date.
• Experience in computer programming for data analysis (especially Python, R, or other language);
• Experience writing for scientific publications;
• Experience working with air quality data.

NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all applicable preferred qualifications when describing your work experience.  A resume that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee.

• Experience using statistical, mathematical, or machine learning methods with multiple data sources;
• Experience with running and analyzing data from global models such as GEOS-CHEM;
• Familiarity with the IMPROVE program and EPA’s Regional Haze Rule;
• Experience working in a team environment and communicating scientific results.

Applications must be submitted via online portal. We will not accept materials sent via email or other mode. NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all required qualifications and applicable preferred qualifications when describing your work experience.  A resume that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee. Likewise, an online application with a generic cover letter or missing a cover letter may not be further considered after review by the search committee.  References will be requested for finalists and will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. 

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

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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.

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.