Job Details

CIRES/Chu Research Group Post-Doctoral Associate

Position Number: 6770411
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

CIRES/Chu Research Group Post-Doctoral Associate

Requisition Number: 68904
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 08-Dec-2025
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Chu Research Group, at CIRES/CU Boulder, welcomes applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (postdoc researcher) to analyze lidar data, assemble a new lidar instrument, conduct atmospheric-space science studies, and support a McMurdo lidar campaign.

The Chu Research Group has been at the forefront of lidar studies of the middle-upper atmosphere and near-space environment as well as lidar technology innovations. They have been running a legendary McMurdo lidar observational campaign since late 2010 for over 15 years. https://cires.colorado.edu/research/research-groups/chu-research-group
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

At CIRES, more than 900 people work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people's relationship with the planet. An institute at the University of Colorado Boulder, we have partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 1967. Our areas of expertise include weather and climate, wildfire and water, changes at Earth's poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our researchers work in 10 CU Boulder departments and eight NOAA laboratories and centers.

The Chu Research Group explores advanced spectroscopy principles, develops new lidar technologies, studies the fundamental physical and chemical processes that govern the whole atmosphere, and makes new discoveries in the atmosphere-space sciences. This group has been at the forefront of lidar studies of the middle-upper atmosphere and near-space environment as well as lidar technology innovations.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Conduct lidar data analysis, perform scientific investigations, and publish journal papers using the lidar observations, particularly with relation to atmospheric dynamics and mesospheric/thermospheric metal layers. (40%)
Assemble and deploy a Na Doppler lidar system to be operated from the Chu Research Group's Golden lidar observatory. (40%)
Support the McMurdo lidar campaign via logistical support and training of graduate and undergraduate students. Potential deployment to McMurdo Station for direct participation in the campaign is possible, pending availability. (10%)
Participate in and contribute to outreach activities. (10%)

What You Should Know

The anticipated start date is January 1, 2026.
This position allows for a hybrid work modality with some in-person work and some remote work. Work modality arrangements will follow current CIRES and university guidance and policies.
Current funding for this position is through August 31, 2026, but there is the possibility of extension contingent on additional funding being received.

What We Can Offer

CIRES offers a generous compensation and benefits package.
The annual hiring salary for this position ranges from $65,000-$70,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
As an employee at CU Boulder, you will have free access to the regional public transit system, an outstanding network of buses, and light rail systems that service Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

What We Require

Doctoral Degree in Aerospace Engineering Sciences or a related field.
Expertise in extensive analysis of large-amount lidar data, especially on spectral analysis.
Strong hands-on experience with lidar and laser operation, mechanics, electronic circuits and equipment, photonics, fiber optics, or equivalent experimental experience/skills.
Previous experience publishing in academic journals
Prior working experience with winter lidar observations at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
Ability to work in Antarctica and to successfully pass the NSF Antarctic physical qualification (PQ) processes for traveling to and working in Antarctica.

What You Will Need

Engineering skills and knowledge of lidars and instrumentation.
Ability to use engineering and data analysis skills to contribute to science discoveries.
Skills in programming languages of MATLAB, LabVIEW, R, C++, or Python for data retrieval, analysis, or simulation.
Physical and mental fortitude to handle lidar work independently. Stable and logical workstyle, even under pressure.
Demonstrated mentality and high work ethics and standards for conducting lab experiments and observational research.
A strong commitment to teamwork and proactive communication.
Ability to work long or unusual hours to collect data during clear sky windows.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume/CV.
Cover letter briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
If you are identified as a finalist, the search committee will request one letter recommendation at a later time. Please be prepared to provide a name/email of a reference willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

This position will close December 8, 2025.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-Chu-Research-Group-Post-Doctoral-Associate/68904