AI for DA Researcher

This position is limited to an end date 9 months after the start date, unless a Student at Other Institution (SOI) form can be provided. The individual in this position will work remotely for CIRA, associated with the NOAA campus in Boulder, Colorado, reporting to the AI Scientist/Researcher for Weather Forecasting within the Scientific Computing Branch within the Global System Lab, and collaborating with other CIRA researchers and federal partners within the branch. 

The position will support the development of next-generation AI-based data assimilation capabilities for HRRRCast. Primary responsibilities include the preparation, organization, and processing of large atmospheric datasets for HRRRCast data assimilation training and evaluation, as well as contributing to the development and testing of AI/ML-based data assimilation methods and workflows for convection-allowing forecasting applications.

The selected individual will maintain, and document code developed for these efforts within the official code repository, utilizing GitHub in an active collaborative development environment. The position also includes periodically reporting progress and activities to project sponsors and providing regular updates to the scientific team.

• Assemble data for AI DA pipeline from Brightband sources;

• Develop and evaluate different ML algorithms for data assimilation for use in initializing HRRRCast;

• Maintain an understanding of current literature in the AI DA space and share this expertise with other members of the HRRRCast development team

• Collaborate with both CIRA team and other research staff.

• Prepare documented oral reports for regular team and project meetings, and provide briefings as requested to funding organizations;

• Prepare presentations on research results at scientific conferences, and contribute to publications;

• Bachelor’s Degree in a physical science or math plus 1 year of related job experience OR Master’s Degree in a physical science or math;

• Experience using HPC clusters and in managing data;

• Experience in writing scientific software in Python or a native language;

• Experience working in a collaborative software development environment;

• Experience with AI/ML

• Ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) federal background check and receive a NOAA Common Access Card (CAC) ID badge;

• Must be a citizen of the United States or Lawful Permanent Resident with a physical USCIS “Green Card.”  CIRA will not sponsor a visa now nor in the future.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in physical science or math 

• Experience working in the fields of atmospheric sciences or meteorology.

• Knowledge of numerical analysis methods in PDEs;

• Experience working independently and as a team member in a collaborative setting;

• Strong verbal and technical writing skills. 

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.