Tss Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Description Summary:
NCAR's Climate and Global Dynamics (CGD) Laboratory is excited to announce the job opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow. This position will focus on calibrating and applying the ecosystem demography model FATES-CTSM in boreal and temperate forested ecosystems. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for conducting collaborative research on vegetation dynamics and vegetation-wildfire and vegetation-soil interactions at sites in boreal North America and the western United States, updating model code and equations where needed, leading to published results in scientific journals. The goals of the present work are, first, to calibrate model parameters and improve model performance at point locations, and second to improve model simulation of key vegetation processes such as phenology, allocation, and interaction with disturbance (e.g. wildfire and drought). The results of these studies will contribute to understanding vegetation-climate-disturbance interactions and how to best simulate these interactions with FATES, in turn improving the performance of FATES-CTSM globally
The position is within the Terrestrial Science Section of CGD at the Mesa Laboratory in Boulder, CO, USA. It will also involve collaboration with external researchers and agencies. The appointment is for two years, with the second-year conditional on first year performance. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to and benefit from collaborations within the Terrestrial Sciences Section and scientists at NCAR.
More information about CGD can be found at https://www.cgd.ucar.edu/.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
Yes
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Term - 6 months or more (Fixed Term)
Compensation Range:
Salary Range: $76,650
*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.*
Application Notes
Application Deadline:

• This position will be posted until filled with priority given to applications submitted by Friday, December 8, 2023.

Required application materials: (preferably in PDF Format)

• Resume
• Cover Letter: Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).
• Three professional references: Email and phone contact information.

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.
Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be
performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

• Calibrate model parameters and benchmark model performance at key sites in boreal Canada and in East River, Colorado.
• Update FATES and CTSM model code to improve representation of wildfire dynamics cold deciduous phenology, and soil respiration.
• Publish the results in peer-reviewed literature and otherwise communicate results to the collaborators and broader scientific community.
• Collaborate with the broader team at NCAR, DOE, and NASA ABoVE to improve FATES-CTSM.
• Devise new areas and processes to improve FATES-CTSM representation of vegetation-disturbance-soil interactions.

The position will also allow the postdoctoral research to participate in professional development activities including those offered by the Advance Study and the Early Career Development Programs.
Who We'd Love To Join Our Team
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education and Experience:

• A Ph.D. or equivalent experience in environmental science, ecology, climate science and/or related field

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
REQUIRED

• Experience analyzing output data of ecosystem demography models, land surface models, or similar.
• Demonstrated understanding of forest vegetation dynamics, ecological modeling, and systems ecology
• Demonstrated capacity to develop model code to improve representation of vegetation processes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Proficient in Fortran, Python, R, or other similar language.

DESIRED

• Familiarity with the Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator (FATES) or similar model
• Familiarity with wildfire dynamics and their interactions
• Familiarity with vegetation-soil interactions
• Familiarity with statistical analysis tools

Benefits Overview
UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive 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
• 14 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 and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace 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.