[ES_JOBS_NET] Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Radar Meteorologist, San José State University Research Foundation

Wed Feb 25 14:29:26 MST 2026

https://sjsurf.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SJSURF/job/San-Jose-State-University-Campus/Post-Doctoral-Research-Associate_JR_2026_174

OUR STATEMENT
The San José State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to
building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self
and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their
career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the
organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who
reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research
Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares
their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen
as adding value.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION

The Radar Meteorologist (Post-Doctoral Researcher) will support the NASA
INSPYRE field campaign, which aims to improve scientific understanding of
pyro-cumulus (pyroCu) and pyro-cumulonimbus (pyroCb) dynamics associated
with active wildfires. This position focuses on deploying and operating
advanced mobile radar platforms in challenging wildfire environments and
leading scientific analysis of radar observations.

The successful candidate will play a central role in coordinating field
operations, managing radar instrumentation, and conducting advanced data
analysis to investigate fire-induced atmospheric processes. The appointment
is for up to two years.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Lead field deployments of WIRC’s mobile radar systems, including:

   -

   Doppler Ka-band radar
   -

   Doppler X-band radar
   -

   G-band radar

2) Coordinate logistics and on-site operations for radar deployments to
active wildfire locations.

3) Ensure safe and effective operation of mobile radar platforms in dynamic
and potentially hazardous fire-line environments.

4) Conduct high-quality data collection during wildfire events, ensuring
proper calibration, operation, and troubleshooting of radar systems.

5) Lead scientific analysis of radar datasets to address key research
questions related to pyroCu and pyroCb dynamics, including:

   -

   Fire-induced wind fields
   -

   Plume dynamics and structure
   -

   Hydro- and pyrometeor size distributions
   -

   Characterization using dual-frequency ratios
   -

   Polarimetric observations to isolate hydro- and pyro-meteor
   distributions within plume and cloud systems

6) Contribute to scientific reporting, manuscript preparation, and
presentation of results at conferences and technical meetings.

7) Maintain compliance with safety standards and complete required wildfire
and vehicle safety certifications.

8) Other duties as assigned.

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

1) Reports to the project director.

2) Frequently interacts and collaborate with interdisciplinary research
teams, including NASA scientists and campaign partners.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience Required

   -

   Ph.D. in Meteorology or a closely related field.
   -

   Experience in deploying mobile radar platforms.
   -

   Experience in radar data analysis.

Knowledge and Skills Required

   -

   Python programming and analysis of polarimetric radar data.

Physical Demands

   -

   Ability to work in physically demanding and potentially hazardous
   wildfire environments.
   -

   Ability to become fire-line qualified by passing basic firefighter (FF2)
   training
   -

   Ability to pass the Arduous Pack Test for obtaining a Red Card.
   -

   This position performs duties with limited supervision and exercises
   independent judgment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed
satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the
SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect
the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current
SJSURF employees who apply for the position.

NOTE: This position description intends to describe the general nature and
level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not
intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which
duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.

Compensation Range:
$72,000-$82,000 annually, DOQ/E
Exempt, Benefited

BENEFITS
The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees.
The comprehensive benefits package includes:

   -

   Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee
   contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).
   -

   Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible
   dependents.
   -

   Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.
   -

   14 paid federal & state holidays.
   -

   Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403
   (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.
   -

   Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.
   -

   Employee discounts.
   -

   Paid training and professional-development conferences.

Please visit the Benefits & Compensation
<http://www.sjsu.edu/researchfoundation/employees/benefits/index.php> page
on the SJSURF website for more detailed information.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and
reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental
disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and
hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental
disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or
interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation
during the application and hiring process, please contact us at
foundation-jobs at sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full
name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal
the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or
otherwise disclose confidential medical information.

ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San José State University
(SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not
employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit
auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the
organization’s funding comes from the federal government, and other public
and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million,
programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research,
public services, and educational-related activities.

San José State University Research Foundation is an Affirmative Action,
Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner
status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability,
medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military
and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal,
state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on
the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is
associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those
characteristics.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees
and applicants for employment. All employment practices such as
recruitment, selection, promotions, and other terms and conditions of
employment are administered in a manner designed to ensure that employees
and applicants for employment or services are not subjected to
discrimination. We are committed to providing a work environment free from
discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect
and dignity. This policy is in accordance with federal, state and local
laws and reaffirms the Research Foundation’s continuing commitment to both
the spirit and intent of equal employment opportunity laws and policies.

San José State University Research Foundation is an EOE M/F/Vet/Disability.
Learn more about our organizations EEO and AAP policy by visiting our
website HERE
<http://sjsu.edu/researchfoundation/docs/EEO-Affirmative-Action-Policy-Web-06-01-2017.pdf>.
Data metrics on the AAP is available for review upon request. Please also
visit OFCCP for additional resources:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters
<http://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters>.

If you have any questions or need assistance or an accommodation in
completing this application, please contact Research Foundation HR at (408)
924-5582.
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