Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Fellow – Atmospheric Cloud Research
Type: Full-Time
Salary: $67,000 – $70,000 per year
Location: Fort Collins, CO (Hybrid/In-office)
Posted: 11/18/2025
Category: Geology, Earth Sciences, and Oceanography
Posting Number: 202501508AP

Position Overview

Colorado State University’s Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) seeks a Postdoctoral Fellow to develop physics-based and machine learning methods for environmental satellite remote sensing applications. This full-time position supports NOAA-funded research projects, including global 3D satellite cloud studies and multi-scale weather applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research on satellite-based estimation of global cloud properties using geostationary/polar-orbiting data.

• Develop and apply physics/statistics-based and AI/ML methods for environmental remote sensing.

• Validate research results with in-situ measurements and intercomparisons with multiple satellite datasets.

• Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations, and collaborative research projects.

• Collaborate with operational partners, product end users, and interdisciplinary teams.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Meteorology, Atmospheric Sciences, or a closely related STEM field (defense must be completed before start).

• Experience in satellite remote sensing related to atmospheric clouds.

• Proficiency in reading, writing, and manipulating scientific datasets for meteorological applications.

• Experience working in team environments and effectively communicating scientific results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with in-situ weather and climate measurements.

• Proficiency in programming (Python) and statistical/machine learning methods.

• Knowledge of atmospheric cloud retrieval products and radiative transfer models.

• Experience writing for scientific publications.

Employment Details

• Appointment: 12 months with flexible start between January 1 – March 1, 2026.

• Option to renew for an additional year based on performance and funding.

• Work schedule: 40 hours/week, hybrid flexibility considered.

• Pre-employment criminal background check required.

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply online through the CSU portal. Required materials:

• Cover Letter addressing all required and preferred qualifications

• Resume/CV

• Professional References (3, with recent collaboration experience)

Equal Opportunity Statement

CSU is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring practices. Applicants may redact age-related information in application materials.

Search Contact: Linn Barrett, linn.barrett@colostate.edu