Assistant Professor of Polar or Cryospheric Sciences

Assistant Professor of Polar or Cryospheric Sciences

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Assistant Professor of Polar or Cryospheric Sciences

Requisition Number:

75289

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Faculty

Schedule:

Full-Time

Date Posted:

12-Oct-2026

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Job Summary

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

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

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

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

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

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 Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

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

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

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