Job Description Summary: We are excited to announce that the High Altitude Observatory (HAO), one of the NCAR’s seven labs, has an opening for an Instrumentation Scientist III position.

This position develops and operates state-of-the-art observational and experimental instruments in solar physics, with particular emphasis on their application to research.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

Yes

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Yes

Job Location:

Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term:

Full time, Regular

Compensation Range:

Annual salary range: $123,001 - $153,750

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Notes

Job Location: Boulder, CO

Job Type: Hybrid (minimum of 2 days a week is required to be on-site)

Position Type & Term: This will be a full-time, regular position after Appointments Review Group (ARG)* ​approval.

NOTE: This position will be hired as Instrumentation Scientist III and moved to Research Engineer III after the Appointments Review Group (ARG)* ​approval is completed.

*Appointments Review Group (ARG) is the NCAR ladder-track appointments process.

Work Authorization: YES Visa sponsorship IS Available for this position

Relocation Assistance: YES Relo IS Available for this position

Application Deadline :

• This position will receive applications until June 24, 2024

Required application materials:

Make sure to include all documents listed!!

• Resume/CV

• List of publications

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/faqs) .

What You Will Do

Here is a summary of what one would expect to be responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develops instruments and applies analytical tools to study basic physical processes. Serves as Lead Instrument Scientist of the Coronal and Solar Magnetism Observatory (COSMO) Large Coronagraph (i.e., leading role in developing the large Coronagraph instrument as part of the future COSMO facility).

• Acts as Principal Investigator and lead instrument scientist for the Upgraded Coronal Multi-Channel Polarimeter (UCoMP) coronagraph operating at Mauna Loa. Works in leadership roles on projects where funding is sought from external sources. As Principal Investigator or lead instrument scientist, responsibilities include:

• Develop science questions, derive science requirements, and flow down to instrument requirements. Supervise instrument design, fabrication, and costing. Develop plans for data calibration and analysis. Work with the science team to implement a data calibration pipeline and validation.

• Engages in science research that advances the imperatives and frontiers of the HAO strategic plan. The successful candidate must work with HAO and community scientists on current heliophysics research topics.

• Provides scientific expertise and project leadership for various HAO existing and next-generation solar instrumentation projects involving spectropolarimetry. Mentors and guides junior scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Who We’d Love to Join Our Team

Education & Experience REQUIRED:

• PhD and seven years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience in conducting scientific research pertinent to advancing the science goals of NCAR and HAO.

• Experience leading teams of engineers, scientists, and post-graduate students in the development of instrumentation

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of optical instrumentation and telescope systems. Experience with coronagraphs and solar instrumentation preferred.

• Strong expertise in polarimetry and spectroscopy. Experience with the design, fabrication, and characterization of Lyot or birefringent filters is highly desirable.

• Ability to design new instruments to meet science requirements.

• Ability and expertise in leading instrument development through a complete cycle from conception, fabrication, and deployment to data validation and distribution.

• Familiarity with state-of-the-art detectors and detector characterization.

• Ability to maintain and upgrade existing instruments that deliver daily observations to the scientific community. Work with HAO and community scientists to develop and implement science-use cases.

• Demonstrated troubleshooting skills to identify issues in existing instruments and improve instrument performance.

• Experience in writing instrument calibration algorithms to deliver fully calibrated science data products.

• Advanced skill at leading the development of observational and experimental approaches to pursue specific scientific goals and objectives.

• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team on complex technical problems and provide innovative solutions.

• Proven ability to acquire, handle, reduce, and analyze the data product of an experiment.

• Proven record of publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and technical notes.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Presents the scientific and engineering capabilities of instruments at science and engineering meetings.

• Excellent management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints

  Benefits Overview

  UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/benefits) . In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)

• 10 paid holidays

• 10 days of sick leave each year

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

  Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan (https://www.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/documents/related-links/2020-12/ODEI_StrategicPlan_Final.pdf) and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace (https://www.ucar.edu/who-we-are/diversity-inclusion) site.

  Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience . Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

  Some Final Considerations

  At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.

At NCAR - the National Center for Atmospheric Research - we study weather, water, climate, air quality, and space weather to help protect lives and livelihoods, grow the economy, and enhance our nation’s security and well-being. We collaborate with research partners to advance the science that makes predictions better and with end users to develop applications for forecasters, farmers, resource managers, retailers, the military, and many other stakeholders.

UCAR - the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research - manages NCAR on behalf of the National Science Foundation. We are a nonprofit consortium of more than 115 colleges and universities with research and training programs in Earth system science. We bring together the academic community and provide the operational management that are both essential to NCAR's success. UCAR’s community programs, from educational resources to data delivery and other services, extend the reach and impact of NCAR’s world-class research to the community and society.

We seek talented people with diverse backgrounds, training, and skills to join us in our mission of science in service to society. Want to learn more? Visit ucar.edu.