Job Description

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until January 31, 2021. Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on an as-needed basis.

Term: 5 years. In certain cases, the clock may be stopped or an extension granted. At the end of the term the incumbent faces an "up or out" decision.

Relocation: Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR will sponsor a work visa to fill this position.

Location: In light of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and restricted access to UCAR facilities, UCAR may allow temporary remote work arrangements for newly hired employees. Eventual relocation to UCAR facilities in Boulder, CO is required for this specific position.

Hiring Salary Range: $84,287 - $105,838
Full Salary Range: $84,287 - $136,966

Benefits: UCAR affirms its continuing commitment to developing, providing, and administering its employee benefit programs with due consideration for equal employment opportunity and diversity guidelines.
UCAR's rich package of employee benefits includes medical, dental, vision, education assistance, retirement, and life insurance.  UCAR offers a variety of programs designed to assist with work-life balance including flexible work alternatives, paid time off and 14 weeks of paid parental leave.

Where You Will Work:

Located in Boulder, Colorado, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is one of the world’s premier scientific institutions, with an internationally recognized staff and research program dedicated to advancing knowledge, providing community-based resources, and building human capacity in the atmospheric and related sciences. NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

ACOM’s research focuses on advancing understanding and predictive capability for atmospheric composition and related processes. Research is organized around two major themes – Air Quality Prediction and Weather-Chemistry-Climate Interactions. ACOM scientists work closely with the wider research community, providing intellectual leadership and facility support for measurement capabilities, laboratory and field experiments and community atmospheric chemistry models.

What You Will Do:

The incumbent will engage in original research, focused on chamber/laboratory studies of organic oxidation mechanisms, that is aligned with and supports the strategic vision for ACOM and NCAR as described in the current ACOM and NCAR Strategic Plans.  Through research, community service, leadership, and education and outreach activities, the incumbent will help foster a culture of scientific excellence within ACOM and NCAR and help support the scientific community (particularly the university community).  They will pursue original research and seek out opportunities to participate in research projects of a scale commensurate with that expected of a national center and address issues of national and international importance. Research will be carried out under the guidance of, or in collaboration with, higher-level scientist(s). Incumbent will contribute specific skills and knowledge to a research project. 

The main research focus will be on the determination of mechanisms for the atmospheric oxidation of organic species, through laboratory/chamber-based studies. Additional areas of research can include any or all of the following (or related) areas:

1) determination of organic oxidation mechanisms through participation in field studies.

2) development and deployment of atmospheric chemistry instrumentation for use in chambers, or in ground- or aircraft-based atmospheric field campaigns. 

3) evaluation and/or development of oxidation schemes for VOCs used in process-level and/or regional or global atmospheric chemistry and transport models.

4) studies of secondary organic aerosol formation and growth mechanisms, through laboratory or field observations of OVOCs and related processes.

Responsibilities:

Identifies important questions related to oxidation of organic species in the atmosphere, and/or secondary organic aerosol formation, growth and loss. Develops and conducts laboratory (or field) investigations to address these questions. Develops novel instruments for deployment in chamber systems and potentially on collaborative field campaigns (aircraft- or ground-based). Conducts collaborative research to develop and/or evaluate oxidation schemes used in atmospheric chemistry models. Publishes / presents results and implications at national and international scientific meetings and in refereed journals.
Coordinates and develops collaborative activities involving university and NCAR scientists. Engages in ACOM laboratory meetings and related activities and is constructively engaged in the professional life of the laboratory with the goal of providing input to ACOM/NCAR planning for future research priorities and strategies. May supervise junior staff, advise and mentor post-doctoral fellows. Provides leadership within NCAR and ACOM, and provides advice on the NCAR and ACOM research program. 
Submit proposals for funding from other agencies to participate in scientific activities where that activity will contribute to the more complete or prompt achievement of ACOM and NCAR organizational goals.
Contributes to scientific programs by serving on NCAR, national and international committees. Works with colleagues in NCAR, the university community and other agencies to seek opportunities to develop new activities that enhance the mission(s) of our primary sponsors and university stakeholders. Reviews manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals and proposals submitted to funding agencies as appropriate.
Seeks out opportunities to contribute to the NCAR Education and Outreach mission, both through individual efforts and through larger organized efforts. 

What You Need:

Education and Years of Experience:

Education: PhD (Atmospheric Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related).
Experience: At early stage of scientific career, typically 2-4 years experience beyond Ph.D., with demonstrated record of publication.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

A demonstrated commitment to and strong record in, carrying out and publishing original research in atmospheric chemistry.
Demonstrated knowledge of tropospheric chemistry, particularly related to the chemistry of organic compounds.
Experience and demonstrated skill in the design and conduct of laboratory-based atmospheric chemistry experiments.
Demonstrated knowledge of in situ observational instrumentation, and ability to develop measurement techniques and instruments.
Skill in interpretation of data obtained in experiments, and in written and oral communication of research results.
Ability to work well within a multidisciplinary team.
Experience and ability in the writing of scientific publications and research proposals.
Ability to present research results effectively as evidenced by oral presentations and invited talks within NCAR, at national and international meetings, and at research institutions.
Demonstrated knowledge of mathematical methods for data analysis.
Demonstrated working skill in essential programming tools for instrument development and data analysis (e.g., Labview,  IGOR).
Ability to supervise and/or mentor junior and support staff, postdoctoral fellows and graduate/undergraduate students.

Desired but not required:

Experience in chemical modeling such as the hyper-explicit GECKO-A model or chemical box models.

Applicant Notes:

An Inclusion Statement will be required for all applicants advancing to an in-person interview. If requested, this statement should address past efforts, as well as future vision and plans to advocate for and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organization and/or field of work.
A cover letter is required when applying to this position.
A pre-employment screening is conducted in conjunction with an offer for employment. This screening may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: restricted parties screening, employment verification, performance records of internal candidates, education verification, reference checks, verification of professional licenses, certifications, and Motor Vehicle Records.  UCAR complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Please note that while the position description details both minimum requirements as well as desired skills and experience, we want to remind applicants that you do not need to have all the desired skills and experience to be considered for this role. If you have the passion for the work along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest.