[ES_JOBS_NET] Machine Learning Scientist for Meteorological Applications, Colorado State University

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/83071


Working Title
20-122: Machine Learning Scientist for Meteorological Applications
Position Location
Fort Collins, CO
Research Professional Position
Yes
Posting Number
202100009AP
Position Type
Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Postdoctoral Fellows
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week
40
Proposed Annual Salary Range
$59,000 - $60,000
Employee Benefits

Colorado State University (CSU) and the State of Colorado are committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time classified employees in the following University benefit areas. https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/.
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
02/08/2021
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.

The city of Fort Collins offers a pleasant climate with excellent schools and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities nearby. The community of approximately 158,600 is nestled at the base of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. Fort Collins is routinely recognized by numerous publications as one of the most desirable places to live in the United Sates for its high quality of life measures; see the complete list at: https://www.fcgov.com/visitor/awards.php. For more information about Fort Collins, please visit: https://www.fcgov.com/
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 Postdoctoral Fellow to work at the intersection of machine learning and atmospheric science. This fellowship is part of the new NSF AI Institute for Research on Trustworthy AI in Weather, Climate, and Coastal Oceanography (AI2ES) - one of five newly-funded AI institutes in the US and the only one focusing on environmental science applications (https://www.ai2es.org/). AI2ES is a large multi-institutional and interdisciplinary institute that seeks to uniquely benefit humanity by developing novel, physically based AI techniques that are demonstrated to be trustworthy, and will directly improve prediction, understanding, and communication of high-impact environmental hazards.

This Postdoctoral Fellowship is a 12-month appointment with a flexible start date between February 2021 and July 2021, and option to renew for up to two additional years contingent upon performance and funding. The individual in this fellowship will explore how best to utilize machine learning approaches, including explainable AI methods and physics-guided machine learning, for meteorological applications. Focus will be on, but not limited to, working with satellite imagery. The goal is to improve both predictive abilities for high-impact weather and understanding of atmospheric processes, with key emphasis on the application of tropical cyclones, including tropical cyclone evolution and rapid intensification. Additional meteorological applications will be considered based upon the fellow’s interests and CIRA’s needs. The individual in this fellowship will report to CIRA’s Machine Learning Lead and Research Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and work closely with the lead of CIRA’s Tropical Cyclone Group. The individual in this fellowship will be expected to establish strong collaborations with CIRA & NOAA research staff and members of the AI2ES team in CSU’s Computer Science and Atmospheric Science departments, as well as other AI2ES partner institutions. This is an exciting, high-impact position that provides a great opportunity for a motivated researcher to push the boundaries of AI research in several weather/climate applications and to explore innovative approaches while working in a highly stimulating and interdisciplinary team environment.

Colorado State University offers a comprehensive benefits package; including paid holidays, accrued sick leave days, enrollment in group health, life and accident insurance, work injury benefits, disability insurance, and additional opportunities such as free employee study privilege credits. CSU offers paid parental leave, spousal and domestic partner benefits as well.
Required Job Qualifications

Please detail each of these items in your cover letter.
● Ph.D. in atmospheric science, computer science, mathematics or closely related field;
● demonstrated experience with applied machine learning and/or advanced statistical techniques;
● demonstrated experience working on an application from the physical sciences;
● experience reading, writing, and manipulating scientific datasets, preferably using Python;
● ability to perform research independently;
● ability to work well in a team environment;
● good communication skills.
Preferred Job Qualifications

Please highlight applicable preferred qualifications in your cover letter.
● experience applying machine learning in atmospheric sciences or a closely related field;
● familiarity with tropical cyclone forecasting process, tropical cyclone structure and evolution;
● enthusiasm for working with satellite imagery;
● knowledge of high-performance computing;
● experience collaborating across disciplines.
Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category
Applied Research
Duty/Responsibility

● conduct research and develop machine learning techniques for weather forecasting applications primarily focusing on tropical cyclones, but also exploring other applications that build on satellite imagery;
● coordinate and collaborate with other team members towards other machine learning applications in weather and climate modeling.
Percentage Of Time
50

Job Duty Category
Independent Research
Duty/Responsibility

● contribute to and lead scientific studies that serve the CIRA mission;
● develop future proposals that may lead to an independent research program.
Percentage Of Time
20

Job Duty Category
Collaborative Research
Duty/Responsibility

● engage with operational partners and product end users;
● collaborate with other CIRA scientists and AI2ES team members working on related research projects.
Percentage Of Time
20

Job Duty Category
Documentation & Reporting
Duty/Responsibility

* travel to scientific conferences to present results;
* assist with all NSF-related reporting duties related to this project;
* develop and collaborate on the dissemination of results through publications.
Percentage Of Time
10
Special Instructions to Applicants

NOTE: In your cover letter, please specifically address the required and preferred qualifications of this position. A cover letter that fails to address the required and preferred qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee.

References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact
linn.barrett at colostate.edu
EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity<https://oeo.colostate.edu/> is located in 101 Student Services.



The Acting Title IX Coordinator is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO. 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix at colostate.edu<mailto:titleix at colostate.edu>.


The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836.
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. 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
Minimum Requested
3
Maximum Requested
3

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