2025 WINGS Dissertation Fellowship

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type & Term:

$27.58/hour, up to 1,320 hours/year with an annual $5,000 travel allowance and limited tuition support*

*Hours worked will be 0.5 Full Time Employment (FTE) for 9 months (academic year), and 1.0 FTE for 3 months (summer), benefits included.

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59 pm MT, February 7, 2025. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):

• Personal Statement

• WINGS Fellowship Research Proposal

• Curriculum Vitae/Resume

• PhD Advisor Plan

  • 2 Professional Recommendations (collected separately, within the online application)

Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire and must be cleared prior to the start date. Learn more.

Work Authorization: U.S. Residency is a requirement (you must reside in the U.S. for this position). UCAR/NCAR will not sponsor a work visa (e.g. J-1, H-1B, etc.) for this position. U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or another protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) is required for this position. PLEASE NOTE: Foreign National Guests that are already sponsored by their host university are encouraged to apply, however, UCAR is not able to directly sponsor a work visa.

Work Location: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and hybrid (combination of in-person and remote) opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Position Term: This is a 2-year term position and is based on continued program funding with the potential for further extension. Successful applicants in this program work under the mentorship of host scientists in areas of mutual interest.

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent or collaborative research under a proposed plan related to the goals of the program.

• Publish and present results of the fellow's research at seminars and conferences.

• Culmination of your research activities are written up as the fellow's PhD thesis.

• Pursue outside activities that advance the fellow's professional growth, which may include contributing to educational programs, serving on committees, and attending workshops.

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education & Experience

• Students may apply to the Fellowship before they are officially a doctoral candidate. Students must complete their coursework, enter candidacy, and start their Fellowship by December 2025.

• Students must be enrolled in a doctoral program at an accredited institution in the United States or its territories. International students may apply if they are enrolled at a U.S. institution and meet all other eligibility requirements.

• Student projects must be aligned with an area of scientific importance for the Weather Program Office (WPO). Potential focus areas include, but are not limited to: data assimilation, atmospheric physics, systems architecture, machine learning/artificial intelligence, Unified Forecast System, and software engineering.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work independently and conduct research with oversight of a mentor.

• Skill in oral and written communication in English.

STEP 1. Prepare, collect, organize, and compile your application materials according to the listed order below into a single (1) PDF.

• Here are two resources for combining multiple documents into a single PDF: How To Combine Files into One PDF; How To Combine PDFs into One File.

STEP 2. Submit your application through Workday, including attaching/uploading your compiled Application Materials.

Prepare, collect, organize, and compile your application materials into a single (1) PDF document, including all of the 4 required sections, in the order listed below. Two references will also be collected separately.

To include in the single (1) PDF:

1. Personal Statement (1 page, 12 pt. type size) addressing the questions below:

• Why are you specifically interested in a WINGS Doctoral Fellowship?

• How do you plan on using this experience to grow your leadership skills?

• Outline how your Research Proposal enhances and complements NOAA's Weather EPIC and JTTI Program Offices missions, and address future interactions with NOAA.

  • NOTE: Examples of future interactions could include: using NOAA data, establishing new collaborations with a NOAA scientist, giving a talk on your work and research outcomes at a NOAA Laboratory or Program Office, etc.

• Provide a clear indication of when you completed/plan to complete the coursework portion of your PhD.

2. WINGS Fellowship Research Proposal (up to 5 pages, 12 pt. type size, including figures and appendices).

• Include your PhD dissertation title, abstract, and proposal description.

• Proposals must describe the specific research project they intend to conduct.

• Proposal should be original, not sourced from a previously funded proposal to a different funding agency.

• Address the broader impact of your research to the community at large.

  • NOTE: Bibliography/Citations/Literature References are NOT included in this 5-page proposal limit.

3. Curriculum Vitae/Resume

• Include a list of relevant presentations and publications, training, community involvement, and outreach.

  • NOTE: For all publications that are not yet published, please indicate the stage the paper is at, for example: In Development, Submitted, Under Review, or Accepted.

4. PhD Advisor Plan (1 page, 12 pt. type size)

• Include a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided by your current PhD Advisor.

  • NOTE: This can include, but not limited to: Orientation; Career Counseling; Publications and Presentations; Professional Development, etc.

Recommendations (collected separately, within the online application)

• You will be asked to provide contact information for 2 individuals who are able to speak on your behalf. It is your responsibility as an applicant to:

  • Inform your recommenders about this Fellowship and its application criteria, and

  • Provide the following dates and deadlines: CPAESS will contact them between February 17 - February 21 to complete a Recommendation Questionnaire, which must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time, March 3, 2025.

    • NOTE: Your PhD advisor does NOT have to be used as a recommender, however, if you choose them, you will need to provide their name and email address for both the Advisor and Recommendation sections within the online application.

STEP 1. To begin the application process, select the "Apply" button. When prompted, create a new account. If you have applied to a different position within UCAR please sign in to your existing account.

STEP 2. You will be prompted to submit your current resume. At this point, upload your completed application materials with the 4 required sections and compiled into a single (1) PDF document). NOTE: Click "Select File" to find your file on your computer and then select Next.

• Here are two resources for combining multiple documents into a single PDF: How To Combine Files into One PDF; How To Combine PDFs into One File.

STEP 3.

Add any missing information and/or edit and verify any information that is pre-populated on the "My Information" and "My Experience" pages within the online application. Continue the application process as prompted.

STEP 4.

You will be asked to provide contact information for 2 individuals who are able to provide a reference on your behalf, as well as inform them that CPAESS|UCAR will contact them between February 17 - February 21, 2025 to complete a questionnaire that will serve as a Recommendation (due March 3, 2025). NOTE: Your PhD advisor does NOT have to be used as a reference, however, if you choose to have them serve as a reference, you will need to provide both their name and email address for both the Advisor and Reference sections within the online application.

Questions on the Workday application process may be addressed to HR Recruiting (hrrecruiting@ucar.edu).

General questions regarding this fellowship program may be addressed to Kate Rodd (krodd@ucar.edu).

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)

• 10 paid holidays

• 10 days of sick leave each year

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace site.

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.