"Alerted.org

Posting Detail Information

Working Title25-119: Meteorological Satellite Applied Mathematician

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional PositionYes

Posting Number202501509AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleResch Sci/Scholar I

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$75,000 - $84,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on10/21/2025

Description of Work Unit

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.

Position Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere ( CIRA ) on the Foothills Campus at Colorado State University ( CSU ) in Fort Collins, CO, seeks to hire a Research Scientist 1 / Applied Mathematician to develop satellite retrieval algorithms from satellite data (e.g., Joint Polar Satellite System ( JPSS ), Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite ( GOES )). The individual in this position will support the applied mathematical development of remote-sensing applications in low-light visible remote sensing (e.g., Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite ( VIIRS ) Day/Night Band ( DNB )), support wildfire forecast modeling activities, and apply novel methods (including physical and machine-learning based techniques) to cloud and aerosol retrievals.

Specifically, the individual in this position will report to the Project Principle Investigator and work with a variety of remote sensing data and employ both mathematical algorithms and applications as well as new machine learning methods, to support CIRA’s research funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ). The position provides an opportunity for a motivated researcher to explore innovative approaches in several high-impact, cutting-edge applied mathematical satellite data applications while working in a highly stimulating and interdisciplinary and collaborative team environment. Target projects include:

+ Support new application development using nighttime data from the VIIRS / DNB imagery of city lights, lunar reflection, and other sources of natural and artificial nighttime illumination

+ Support CIRA’s ongoing applied mathematical development of Lunar Irradiance Modeling for the research community

+ Support CIRA’s ongoing wildfire observation and forecasting research

+ Support CIRA’s Cloud Team research

+ Evaluate new products using multi-sensor data analysis from both in-situ and satellite measurements and demonstrate the results.

This position is part of CIRA’s Meteorological Satellite Application Team. The individual in this positon will regularly report to their CIRA Supervisor and will be mentored by Principal Investigators (PIs) of the aforementioned projects and research teams. The intended trajectory of this position is scientific leadership at CIRA , and the individual in this position will be supported strongly along their path toward achieving their research and career goals. In-person (non-remote) presence is strongly preferred for this position to maximize collaborations with on-site teams, and a hybrid office/telework schedule may be negotiated.

Required Job Qualifications

In your cover letter, please specifically address EACH required qualification as it relates to your experience. An application without a cover letter that addresses each of the required qualifications for this position will not be considered further after review by the search committee.

+ Ph.D. in applied mathematics, geoinformatics, remote sensing, or atmospheric science plus 1-2 years of post-degree experience working with meteorological data sets;

+ Experience conducting scientific research with the VIIRS Day/Night Band;

+ Experience with Machine Learning tools (e.g., Random Forest and Neural Networks);

+ Experience working on high-performance computing clusters.

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 will not be considered further after review by the search committee.

+ Experience working with Low-Earth Orbit satellite data from VIIRS , MODIS , Landsat and ASTER .

+ Experience with satellite data analysis and algorithm development for fire detection and weather applications.

+ Experience with geospatial data processing;

+ Experience with high-performance computing clusters;

+ Programming/work experience using: Python, Fortran, C, MATLAB , Linux Shell, Git, GitHub/GitLab;

+ Ability to communicate well, orally and written, and across disciplinary boundaries;

+ Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative team environment.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryApplied Research

Duty/Responsibility

+ Assist in developing VIIRS / DNB -based applications including basic science, data gathering, and testing for baseline performance;

+ Work on ancillary data masking fields (like VIIRS Cloud Mask and Snow Cover Mask);

+ Become familiar with the CIRA Lunar Irradiance Model and support its improved performance by comparing to independent datasets and integrating physical factors (e.g., libration);

+ Develop AI and machine learning models for multilayer cloud and cloud profiling applications;

+ Analyze multi-sensor data using applied mathematical methodologies and combining moderate- and high-resolution satellite data to support applications to characterize hazardous weather and advise forecasters in time-critical decision making environments.

Percentage Of Time50

Job Duty CategoryIndependent Research

Duty/Responsibility

+ Provide mathematical methodologies to specific independent tasks on scientific proposals that align with CIRA’s research themes;

+ Develop scientific ideas and skills for future proposals leading to an independent research program.

Percentage Of Time20

Job Duty CategoryCollaborative Research

Duty/Responsibility

+ Collaborate with operational partners and product end users;

+ Collaborate with CIRA scientists and other research institutions working on similar research projects.

Percentage Of Time20

Job Duty CategoryDocumentation & Reporting

Duty/Responsibility

+ Publish scientific results in peer reviewed journals;

+ Travel to major scientific conferences to present results.

Percentage Of Time10

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications must be submitted via online portal.We will not accept materials sent via email or other mode. NOTE : In your cover letter, please specifically address the required and preferred qualifications of this position. A cover letter 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, and/or an application that does not include current/correct reference contact information may not be further considered after review by the search committee. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

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.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search ContactLinn Barrett, [email protected]

EEO

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.

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.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume or CV

Optional Documents