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Postdoctoral Fellowship Announcement

A Program for Postdoctoral Support in the Atmospheric Sciences

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is a research institution located in Boulder, Colorado, operated by the nonprofit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) under sponsorship of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Through its Advanced Study Program (ASP), NCAR offers a continuing program of postdoctoral study in the atmospheric and related sciences.

Fellowship awards will be announced by the end of April 2008

THE ASP WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER 11:59:59 PM. MST ON JANUARY 5TH, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Overview

The postdoctoral program provides an opportunity for recent Ph.D. scientists to continue to pursue their research interests in atmospheric and related science. The program also invites postdoctoral physicists, chemists, applied mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers, and specialists from related disciplines such as biology, geology, science education, economics, and geography, to apply their training to research in the atmospheric sciences.

The primary goal of the program is to develop the careers of recent Ph.D. graduates. The ASP also encourages independence and creativity while providing an environment in which fellows interact with and receive advice from experienced scientists at NCAR.

Research Opportunities

The postdoctoral fellowships provide successful applicants with considerable freedom to pursue their own research interests. Most fellows develop research projects in collaboration with NCAR scientists, but all are expected to choose their own research directions and are responsible for the design and conduct of their own projects.

Research at NCAR includes studies of atmospheric dynamics (on all scales), climate science, cloud physics, atmospheric chemistry and radiation, turbulence, upper-atmosphere physics (including ionosphere studies and aeronomy), solar physics, oceanography, and societal impacts related to these scientific areas. There are related programs in atmospheric technology and in computational science and applied mathematics. The NCAR program also includes studies of the interaction of the atmosphere with the oceans, the cryosphere, the earth's surface, and human society. Scientists that are interested in applying their knowledge of biology, ecology, geology, economics, and political science to atmospheric issues are encouraged to apply. An extensive discussion of NCAR science is featured in the NCAR Annual Scientific Report, which can be found at http://www.nar.ucar.edu/ and in the NCAR Strategic Plan at http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/publications/stratplan06.pdf. Additional information on the NCAR scientific program can be found here. A detailed description of the history and objectives of the ASP, prepared for a review of the program, is available at 2001 NSF Review Document. Each fellow in ASP is encouraged to pursue research objectives which take maximum advantage of the opportunities available at NCAR. Fellows have direct access to the NCAR computers and the library, and can obtain appropriate access to other research facilities by mutual agreement with the appropriate project or facility. Special needs (e.g., for laboratory facilities) can often be met but should be arranged in advance through the appropriate project or facility at NCAR. A description of NCAR facilities can be accessed at http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/.

Fellows are expected to participate in ASP activities including seminars, lecture series, and research reviews and in community service activities during their term.

Qualifications

An applicant must have a Ph.D. or Sc. D. degree granted in an area related to NCAR science after 1 October 2003, or must be able to complete such a degree and finish all thesis revisions and defense before starting the NCAR appointment. We encourage applications from women and minorities. There are no special restrictions for foreign applicants.

Primary criteria used in the selection of postdoctoral fellows are the applicant's scientific capability and potential, especially as indicated by originality and independence, and the match between the applicant's interests and the research opportunities available at NCAR.

Stipend and Benefits

Successful applicants currently receive a stipend of $51,000 in the first year, and $53,000 in the second year. These stipends are adjusted annually in June based on surveys of like institutions. All appointees are eligible for life and health insurance. Travel expenses to NCAR will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $1000 for the fellow and his or her family. Reimbursement will include either one-way Federal Mileage allowance (currently .445/mile) or one-way Airfare. Fellows living abroad will have round-trip travel for themselves and their families paid up to a maximum of $2,500. An allowance of $750. for moving and storing personal belongings is provided. Scientific travel and registration fees that cost up to $1,500/year are normally available.

Number and Terms of Appointments

The number of new appointments varies somewhat from year to year. This year we anticipate that up to seven new positions will be available. Appointments are for a maximum of two years. Most fellows begin their appointments between June and October, but earlier or later arrivals can usually be accommodated. (Applicants expecting to start later than January 2009 should apply to the 2009 competition.)

If you have any questions please contact the Advanced Study Program at asp-apply@asp.ucar.edu.

How to Apply

You will be applying for the ASP Postdoctoral Fellowship through the ASP application program. The program will prompt you to create a login and a profile that contains required information for our search. You will also be asked to upload documents, and provide us with the names the 4 references who will be sending us letters of recommendation on your behalf.

Your application consists of 4-5 components:
1. Statement of Research (Must be a PDF document)
2. Curriculum Vita (Must be a PDF document)
3. Transcripts (Must be a PDF document)
4. Cover Letter/Other (Must be a PDF document)
5. Letters of Reference

Statement of Research

Your statement of research should be a 2-3 page document (12 pt font, single spaced, including figures and references) that provides information about what you propose to research at NCAR. Your proposed research should enhance and complement the research already being conducted at NCAR. For more information about NCAR's research and Strategic Plan, please go to http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/. Your statement of research should be a maximum of 3 pages, and you may include figures. The document MUST be a PDF file. For more information about creating a PDF document, please go here.

Curriculum Vita

Your Curriculum Vita must be uploaded to the application program as a PDF document. For more information about creating a PDF document, please go here.

Transcripts

Your transcripts must be uploaded to our system as a PDF document. We only need your graduate transcripts, and they can be unofficial. Please get a copy of your transcript and scan it as a PDF document. If you attended an American institution and your transcript contains your social security number, please be sure to block out that number before scanning. If you attended graduate school at an institution that does not have transcripts, please provide a list of your graduate coursework and any grades/marks received.

Cover Letter/Other

The application system allows you one additional upload. You may include a cover letter or some other document as long as it is a PDF.

Letters of Reference

As part of the application process, we will need up to 4 letters of recommendation from your references. Your references will be able to upload their letters of recommendation for you directly into the application program.

Fellowship awards will be announced by the end of April 2008

THE ASP WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER 11:59:59 PM. MST ON JANUARY 5TH, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Other NCAR/UCAR Postdoc Opportunities: http://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/opps-students.shtml