POSTDOC at NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH
A Program for Postdoctoral Support in the Atmospheric Sciences
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Atmospheric and Ocean Dynamics · Biogeochemical Cycles · Cloud Physics, Radiation, and Mesoscale Meteorology · Climate, Ecology, and Global Change · The Sun and Solar-Terrestrial Interactions · Societal Impacts and Response · Atmospheric and Solar Measurements and Technology · Mathematical and Numerical Methods
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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 sciences and global change.
GOALS
The postdoctoral program provides an opportunity for talented scientists who have recently received their PhDs to continue to pursue their research interests and to develop expertise in new areas. The program seeks to enrich the research talent in the atmospheric sciences by offering an opportunity for highly qualified Ph.D. physicists, chemists, applied mathematicians, engineers, and specialists from disciplines such as biology, geology, science education, economics, and geography, as well as atmospheric science, to apply their training to research in the atmospheric sciences. ASP fellows are free to choose their own research projects. However, fellows are encouraged to interact with the research efforts being conducted at NCAR. The program frequently results in long-term associations between ASP fellows and NCAR, beyond the term of the fellowship, involving continued use of its research facilities and collaborative research with the NCAR staff.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
The postdoctoral appointments 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, solar and solar-terrestrial physics (including ionosphere studies and aeronomy), oceanography, atmospheric technology and numerical and computational methodology. 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 on the UCAR Web site (http://www.dir.ucar.edu/iss/asr/index.html ). Additional information on the NCAR scientific program can be found at http://www.ncar.ucar.edu/info/research.html .
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 the preceding NCAR Web site.
QUALIFICATIONS
An applicant must have a Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree granted in an area related to NCAR science during the first four years preceding the application date, or must be able to complete such a degree before starting the NCAR appointment. (Scientists with more experience should apply to the director of the division in which they would like to work for a position as visiting scientist, or they may contact the ASP office directly for information on appropriate appointments.) We encourage applications from women and minorities. There are no additional restrictions for foreign applicants. Primary criteria used in the selection of participants 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.
There is also a special "Vaisala Fellowship" available to candidates from Finnish universities or those having Finnish citizenship or other associations with Finland. This fellowship is otherwise identical to normal ASP Fellowships. Appropriate applicants should identify themselves as candidates for this special fellowship.
STIPEND AND BENEFITS
Successful applicants currently receive a stipend of $37,000 in the first year, and $39,000 in the second year. These stipends are adjusted annually in June based on surveys of like institutions. For an appointee holding other fellowships or awards, NCAR will pay the difference up to the stipend offered by NCAR. All appointees are eligible for life and health insurance. Travel expenses to NCAR will be reimbursed for the fellow and his or her family, normally up to a maximum of $800. Fellows living abroad will have round-trip travel for themselves and their families paid up to a maximum of $2,500. A small allowance for moving and storing personal belongings is provided. Scientific travel and registration fees that cost up to $1200/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 8 to 10 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 2001 should apply for the 2001 competition.)
HOW TO APPLY
Each applicant for a postdoctoral appointment at NCAR should send:
(1) transcripts of graduate university courses (unofficial copies are acceptable)
(2) an up-to-date vita including a summary of scientific work experience, a list of publications, and a list of any honors, awards, scholarships, and fellowships
(3) an abstract of the doctoral thesis
(4) the names and addresses (including e-mail and FAX) of four persons whom NCAR may contact for reference letters. Because we need to receive these letters by the application deadline, these names should be sent to us by 5 December 1999. Alternately, applicants may request reference letters to be sent directly to NCAR by the author. In this case, applicants should provide the author with information from our Web site ( http://www.asp.ucar.edu/letters.html) and should arrange for the letters to reach NCAR by 5 January 2000.
(5) a short statement (3-5 pages) describing the applicant’s interest in the atmospheric sciences and the work he or she would like to do during the NCAR appointment. (This statement is not a commitment to conduct the outlined work, but is important evidence of the applicant’s ability to plan an appropriate scientific project.)
We prefer to receive material (including reference letters) through our application web site when possible or as email attachments (sent to application@net.asp.ucar.edu), but we will accept any format including regular mail and FAX.
Applications should be received at NCAR no later than 5 January 2000, in order to be considered for fellowship awards to begin in the summer or fall of 2000. All applications may be reviewed by UCAR and NCAR scientists. Selections will be announced in late February/early March 2000.
Inquiries and applications should be addressed to:
Barbara Hansford, Coordinator
Advanced Study Program
National Center for Atmospheric Research
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000
Express Mail: 1850 Table Mesa Drive
Boulder, CO 80303
E-mail Address: barbm@ucar.edu
FAX: (303) 497-1646
Further information on the nature of the NCAR ASP Fellowships can be found on the ASP Web site: http://www.asp.ucar.edu . A detailed description of the history and objectives of the ASP, prepared for a recent review of the program, is available there (cf. 1997 NSF Review Document).
