Assistant Professor of Polar or Cryospheric Sciences

Job Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
(CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) seeks a
tenure-track Assistant Professor in polar and/or cryospheric
sciences. CIRES has identified cold region science as a key
priority for building on its existing strengths. This new
tenure-track faculty position is open to any aspect of polar and/or
cryospheric science.

We seek an Assistant Professor who will lead a research group that
generates and analyzes data leading to novel scientific and/or
engineering insights pertaining to cold regions. Relevant research
methods include remote sensing, in-situ observations, and numerical
modeling. Relevant research specialties include but are not limited
to the atmosphere, ocean, biology, snow, sea ice, ice sheets and
glaciers, and permafrost. Applicants with potential for
interdisciplinary research activities that span multiple
specialties are preferred.

This role will join CIRES to advance environmental science,
especially as it relates to cold region processes in earth system
change and variability. The faculty member will contribute to
dynamic activities across CIRES as well as partner institutes,
departments, centers and programs at CU Boulder. The faculty line
for this position is rostered in CIRES, with a tenure-track
affiliation and instructing/service responsibilities in a relevant
academic department. Academic departments that could serve as the
tenure home include: Aerospace Engineering, Atmospheric and Oceanic
Sciences, Earth Science, Environmental Studies, and Geography. The
departmental affiliation will be decided in consultation with the
new hire.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.

Who We Are

The Cooperative Institute for
Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is an
internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental
science and research and is located at the University of Colorado
Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science
professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system,
including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has a
partnership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) and the University of Colorado Boulder. Areas of expertise
include weather and climate, biology and ecosystems, changes at
Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water
resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to excel
as an international leader in conducting cross-cutting
environmental research of the highest quality while bridging
fundamental science and service to society. We build leaders,
scientists, communicators, and teams dedicated to developing sound
and trusted information to address environmental challenges. We
embrace a positive and inclusive culture, recognizing that CIRES
thrives when our people do.

CIRES researchers work in ten CU Boulder academic departments and
eight NOAA laboratories and centers. CIRES has eight centers where
this hire can productively engage: Center for Education,
Engagement, and Evaluation (CEEE), Center for Microbial
Exploration, Earth Lab, Earth Science and Observation Center
(ESOC), Environmental Data Science Innovation and Inclusion lab
(ESIIL), National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), North Central
Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCCASC) and Western Water
Assessment (WWA). Together, our mission is to conduct innovative
research that advances our understanding of the global, regional,
and local environments and the human relationship with those
environments, for the benefit of society.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Maintain an active, externally funded research program,

supervise and mentor graduate students, instruct at undergraduate-
and graduate-student levels, and contribute professional service
both within the university and to their professional research
community. The typical distribution of effort for tenure-track
faculty is 40% instructing, 40% research, and 20% service.
Instructing responsibilities will be aligned with the needs of the
home department. Service will be split between CIRES and the home
department.

• Develop an internationally recognized, externally funded

research program in cryospheric and/or polar science. Competitive
applicants will show evidence of ability to create and sustain a
research program with appropriate extramural support, graduate
student advisees, and with productive collaborations both within
and outside CIRES/CU Boulder.

What You Should Know

• The campus has implemented a reference check pilot

program with respect to final candidates for tenured faculty
appointments. The reference check pilot program is intended to
allow CU Boulder to collect and review information about a
candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically
conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or
discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final
candidates for tenured faculty appointments are required to
complete an Authorization to Release Information.

What We Can Offer

• This tenure-track faculty position will be filled at the

assistant professor level.

• The anticipated salary range for this full-time, 9-month

position at the Assistant Professor rank is $100,000 - $115,000.
Final salary determinations will be based on candidate experience
and pay equity alignment with academic unit peers.

• This position can take summer salary from grants or other

funds.

• Funds are available for research space, office space, and a

startup package. Office, lab, and student space needs will be
determined in consultation with the successful candidate.

• A relocation stipend is available within CIRES and tenure home

guidelines.

• In addition to a competitive salary, the University of Colorado

Boulder offers gender-neutral paid parental leave; backup child,
adult and elder care through Bright Horizons ;
housing down-payment
assistance programs ; a relocation and dual career assistance
program ; and teaching , research ,
professional development programs as well as the University of
Colorado tuition assistance
benefits program .

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of
Forbes' America's Best
Large Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado
and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and
programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Minimum academic requirements include:

• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Engineering,

Geography, Oceanography, Physics, or a related field at the time of
appointment.

• Proven potential to establish an impactful research program in

polar and/or cryospheric science.

• A strong commitment to effective teaching and mentoring of

early career scientists.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

• Cover letter should include information regarding your research

specialization, teaching interests, and possible academic
department(s).

• Curriculum Vitae including information regarding your research

specialization and teaching interests. Please include any funding
history, clearly identifying your role in it (PI and/or co-I).

• Research Statement: Description of your proposed research

vision and program. Please also address how your research aligns
with the CIRES mission, your plan for first research projects for
yourself and your first graduate student advisee(s), your
philosophy regarding collaboration with your peers, your mentoring
approach, and how you plan to build an equitable and inclusive
research environment for your undergraduate and graduate student
researchers (up to four pages).

• Teaching Statement: Description of your proposed teaching

program and vision that aligns with work in CIRES, in one or more
of these home departments (Aerospace Engineering, Atmospheric and
Oceanic Sciences, Earth Science, Environmental Studies, and
Geography) and across CU Boulder. Please include examples of
teaching practices that you use (will use) that are inclusive and
equitable (up to two pages).

• Service Statement: Description of your contributions to the

profession and/or current academic community through service,
leadership, or public engagement.

• Publications: Two of your most relevant papers/publications.

Publications should be packaged into one PDF to fit in available
upload fields in the application.

During the application process you will be asked to provide contact
information for three references who will be asked to provide
letters of recommendation as the search progresses.

The position will remain open until filled, though for full
consideration, please apply no later than December 1, 2026 .
Desired starting date for the position is August 2027, but is
negotiable.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For
consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs for job requisition
number: 75289

Search Committee Contact:

For inquiries, please contact Search Committee Chair: Professor
Jennifer Kay, at jennifer.e.kay@colorado.edu or CIRES Human
Resources cireshr@colorado.edu

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in
any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying
information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school
attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting
or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Jennifer Kay

Posting Contact Email: jennifer.e.kay@colorado.edu