Job Description Summary :
UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the CPAESS Associate Scientist III role working with NOAA Ocean Exploration. This position will support NOAAs Office of Ocean Exploration and Researchs (OER) efforts to quality check synthesize visualize and analyze data collected through the programs ocean exploration operations. NOAA OER aims to collect unbiased baseline information on areas of the deep sea (>
200 meters) for the use of further characterization management and hypothesis-driven research by OERs partners. NOAA OER is looking for an Associate Scientist to create data synthesis and visualization products and / or reports of these data including but not limited to seafloor mapping data species occurrence data and environmental data. These data products will be used to support further exploration and science planning outreach and education initiatives and provide OERs partners with a more well-rounded understanding of data collected in unexplored areas.
CPAESS serves the Earth System Science community in four distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff enabling a more robust workforce in support of the Earth System Science community. Through our scientific programs we seek to edify new research through our postdoctoral programs our visiting scientist and internship programs and our interagency programs. We help build the Earth System Science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes conferences and advisory committees. We also serve the science community through hosted programs like CLIVAR and the Carbon Cycle.
Position Details : Visa Sponsored Job :
No
Relocation Assistance Eligible :
No
Job Location : Boulder Colorado
Position Type & Term :
Full time Regular
Compensation Range :
Hourly Salary Range : $87818 -$109772
Application Notes
Application Deadline : This position will be posted until 11 : 59 : 59pm MT Tuesday September 16 2025. (
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).
Federal screens and UCAR background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.
Work Location : This position is open to candidates seeking in-person hybrid (combination of in-person and remote) and / or fully remote opportunities. UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S. excluding U.S. Territories. CPAESS staff deployed to federal agencies must abide by their respective federal agency requirements concerning remote / flexible work arrangements.
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.
Provide substantial support to the OER Science and Technology Division including :
Develop summary synthesis and visualization products and / or reports derived from data collected by NOAA OER and its partners.
Define ocean exploration data needs goals and metrics for exploring the United States Exclusive Economic Zone to meet partner needs. Compile and analyze data from exploration operations conducted by NOAA OER to prepare data products highlighting the programs discoveries and interpret data to priorities e.g. Blue Economy critical minerals and climate change etc.
Provide technical expertise and guidance regarding data analysis and synthesis including harmonization of data analytics methods.
May author technical reports scientific publications and present papers at seminars and scientific meetings.
Who Wed Love To Join Our Team
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria :
Education & Experience
Required :
Bachelors (or equivalent) degree in a scientific discipline pertinent to a NCAR / UCAR scientific program
3-5 years of substantial experience as an Associate Scientist II (or equivalent position) performing research directly related to the UCAR program.
Experience should provide evidence of considerable professional progress leading to the level of knowledge and skills outlined above.
Desired but not required :
Masters degree in a relevant field.
1 year of oceanographic data acquisition and / or processing experience.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Required :
Well-developed skill in collecting or working with oceanographic data.
Expertise with data cleaning visualization and statistical analyses of environmental / oceanographic data in languages such as Python and / or R.
Demonstrated ability in developing data pipelines for extracting transforming and manipulating raw data to generate products summaries visualizations and automated reporting.
Demonstrated knowledge of databases mining / gathering data from disparate open source data archives and / or big data management.
Demonstrated ability in engaging with stakeholders on product scoping and feature development.
Demonstrated ability in working independently and with a team.
Strong organizational skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to travel as needed (up to three weeks per year).
Desired but not required :
Demonstrated skill with biological observations using underwater video data and video annotation workflows.
Demonstrated knowledge of cloud environments.
Demonstrated skill with database management SQL or similar proficiency.
Demonstrated knowledge of collaborative development environments (e.g. GitHub).
Familiarity with GIS concepts and demonstrated knowledge of ESRIs ArcGIS Enterprise ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online.
Ability to explain analysis results to technical and non-technical audiences.
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
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 Job Application Fairness
Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.
Some Final Considerations
At NSF NCAR UCAR 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 Suns 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 (three days per week) and / or flexible work hours.
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 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.
Work Location
UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S. excluding U.S. Territories.
AI Software
ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives processes and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.
Required Experience :
IC
Key Skills
Laboratory Experience,ELISA,Immunoassays,Transfection,Mammalian Cell Culture,Suspension Experience,Biochemistry,Assays,cGMP,Cell Culture,Molecular Biology,Flow Cytometry
Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience : years
Vacancy : 1
Associate Scientist • Boulder, Colorado, USA