The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) seeks to fill 2 internship positions to start as early as January 2025 as part of a joint CIRA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) effort to increase expertise in the fields of data assimilation, machine learning, and potential synergy of the two. The internship positions involve both theoretical and practical training elements. These interns will be based in NOAA’s Global Systems Laboratory (GSL), located at the David Skaggs Research Center (DSRC) in Boulder, Colorado, and they will report to CIRA’s Data Assimilation (DA) team lead at CIRA in Fort Collins and they will be co-mentored by members of CIRA’s Machine Learning team at CIRA in Fort Collins and NOAA/GSL technical project advisors in Boulder. These internship positions are limited 1-year appointments with a 1-year extension possible, contingent upon satisfactory performance and available funding.
For the initial core training during the first 3 months of the internship, the interns will commute to CIRA in Fort Collins, Colorado, located on the CSU Foothills Campus (approximately 50 miles north of DSRC, or 1.25 hour drive time) two times per week. The remaining days will be spent at the DSRC becoming acquainted with their projects and setting up accounts and access to necessary datasets. Interns located 60 miles or further from CIRA in Fort Collins will receive reimbursement of roundtrip mileage for the twice weekly commutes to CIRA in Fort Collins.
During the core training period, the interns will learn how to use several models and cutting-edge data assimilation techniques used operationally at NOAA and machine learning methods that can support these DA techniques. Specifically, both interns will learn the basic theory and applications of data assimilation and machine learning methods through supervised instruction and hands-on practice. Both interns will also receive specific training tailored to their assigned project. The interns will then apply their knowledge to a relevant applied topic assigned to them by NOAA/GSL technical project advisors. CIRA trainers/mentors at CIRA Fort Collins will continue to be available during the remaining 9 months of the internship to provide assistance and guidance as needed to assure progress on the research. A review of progress at the 9 month mark will be used to determine a possible 1 year extension of the internship, contingent on satisfactory progress and available continuation of funding.
Required Job Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, or closely related fields, such as Applied Mathematics. Degree must be conferred prior to the employment start date.
- Experience with Fortran 90;
- Ability to travel between place of residence and CIRA in Fort Collins and DSRC in Boulder twice weekly for the first 3 months of the internship;
- Ability to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) federal background check and receive a NOAA Common Access Card (CAC) ID badge;
- Must be a citizen of the United States or Lawful Permanent Resident with a physical USCIS “Green Card.”
Preferred Qualifications
- Interest in NOAA-focused research atmospheric science and numerical weather prediction topics;
- Knowledge of machine learning methods;
- Knowledge of numerical analysis methods;
- Knowledge of numerical modeling;
- Experience with command line interfaces;
- Experience with high-end computing;
- Experience with scientific programming languages like Python.