26-114 Boundary-Layer Physics Parameterization Developer

Job Description The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) seeks to fill a full-time Postdoctoral Associate position designed to conduct collaborative research and development with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) located at the Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) in Boulder, CO. The individual in this position will work in the NOAA/OAR/GSL Earth Prediction Advancement Division (EPAD) Physics Branch. The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University 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, CSU, the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit.  NOAA's Global Systems Laboratory is a federal science and research laboratory under NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. GSL provides the National Weather Service (NWS) and the nation with environmental observation, prediction, computer, visualization, and information systems. These systems deliver data, forecasts, and predictions of weather, including severe weather events, within the next few minutes to weeks away. GSL is a leader in the applied research, directed development, and technology transfer of environmental data, models, products, and services that enhance environmental understanding with the outcome of supporting commerce, protecting life and property, and promoting a scientifically literate public. Position Summary: This Postdoctoral Fellowship is a 12-month appointment with a flexible start date between 1 October 2026 and 31 December 2026, with the option to renew for an additional year contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding. The successful candidate will conduct hypothesis-driven research to improve the physical fidelity, accuracy, and/or efficiency of the MYNN-EDMF planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization, the development of which is led by the GSL EPAD Physics Branch. A major focus for this position is contributing to the extension of MYNN-EDMF to parameterizing three-dimensional subgrid-scale turbulence for kilometer- and sub-kilometer-scale numerical weather prediction applications. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute new developments that improve the MYNN-EDMF PBL parameterization and/or its integration with other physics parameterizations (e.g., subgrid-scale clouds, cloud microphysics, surface layer, land-surface model, etc.). This position will report to the CIRA Atmospheric Physics Development and Implementation Scientist.  Full consideration date: For full consideration, please apply by Friday, 9/18/2026, 11:59pm (MT). Essential Job Duties Conduct hypothesis-driven, meteorologically informed research to improve the physical fidelity, accuracy, and/or efficiency of planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations in numerical weather prediction models, particularly as it relates to storm-scale to sub-kilometer models. Collaborate with the lead PBL parameterization developer and other parameterization developers within the branch to inform future development activities. Prepare and/or contribute to the preparation of briefing materials and presentations for branch management, internal meetings, conferences, and workshops, and regularly publish scientific content.  Conditions of Employment Initially, this position will require onsite presence. If project circumstances allow and with satisfactory performance, up to 2 days per week of telework may be allowed. This full-time position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI), tier 1 federal background check and a NOAA Common Access Card (CAC) ID badge for systems access. Therefore, only US citizens and lawful permanent residents with a physical USCIS “Green Card” are eligible.  Supervision The individual in this position will not supervise employees. Required Qualifications: NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all required qualifications when describing your work experience. A resume that fails to specifically address the qualifications of this position will not be further considered by the search committee.  A Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science or related field completed before the start of the appointment. At least two years of experience with numerical weather and/or climate prediction. At least two years of experience in Fortran and/or C++, Python, high-performance computing, and Linux computing environments. Experience using and/or developing PBL parameterizations in appropriate numerical weather prediction models with a specific focus on understanding and/or improving PBL parameterizations. Experience communicating scientific results, such as through conference presentations, seminars, technical reports, and/or publications. Preferred Qualifications NOTE: In the body of your resume, please specifically address all applicable preferred qualifications when describing your work experience. A resume that fails to specifically address the qualifications of this position will not be further considered after review by the search committee.  Experience using relevant observations and/or outputs from numerical weather prediction model simulations to inform PBL parameterization evaluation and/or development. Knowledge of synoptic and