Postdoctoral Fellows

The High Altitude Observatory (HAO) division is involved in four primary research areas; Atmosphere, Ionosphere and Magnetosphere (AIM), Lower Solar Atmosphere (LSA), Corona and Helioshpere (C&H), and Solar Interior and Variability (SIV). Each quadrant in the image above contains a picture representing science that is currently taking place in each of these research areas. Please click image for more information on the different images.

Fields Of Research

Scientists at HAO conduct research related to solar/stellar interiors and variability (including asteroseismology and the solar-stellar connection), the lower solar atmosphere, corona and heliosphere, and terrestrial and planetary atmospheres, ionospheres and magnetospheres. Projects involving radiative transfer, hydrodynamics, magnetohydrodynamics, radiation hydrodynamics, plasma physics and other topics are pursued both out of fundamental physical interest and for their application to the above areas of research. Successful applicants will be expected to pursue research in collaboration with members of the scientific staff and other long-term visitors in these and related areas.

Terms Of Appointment

Postdoctoral Fellows are appointed for a maximum of 2 years beginning in September or October; a degree of flexibility is possible on the specific times of arrival and departure. Fellows are expected to work at HAO in Boulder, Colorado, with the exception of time spent participating in field research and observing programs. Fellows will have access to the HAO Linux/Unix computers, NCAR supercomputer systems, and the HAO and NCAR libraries and data archives from Mauna Loa Solar Observatory and other facilities.

Fellows will receive a salary commensurate with NCAR postdoctoral rates. The current annual rate is $55,000 in the first year and $57,500 in the second year. A scientific travel budget of up to $2,000 per year is also normally available. Relocation expenses to NCAR will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $1000 for the fellow and his or her family. 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. In accordance with NCAR policy, benefits include health insurance, vacation time and retirement contributions, and NCAR will provide assistance in finding Boulder accommodations.

PLEASE NOTE:

Applicants are encouraged to submit their application to BOTH the HAO program and the Advanced Study Program (ASP). Applications to the HAO program will be considered, and offers will be made by the first week of February. Additional offers may be made later in the spring to applicants who also apply to the ASP program. Note that your application to the HAO program cannot be considered by the ASP program unless you submit your application materials to them directly. Likewise, early offers from the HAO program cannot be made to applicants who only apply to the ASP program. For the greatest chance of being offered a fellowship, please apply to both programs! See the ASP Fellowship page for details about how to apply.

How To Apply - (January 4, 2010 Deadline)

The following will comprise a complete application:

  • a vita summarizing education and work experience, along with a list of all scientific publications;
  • letters of recommendation from three scientists familiar with the applicant's work. Please note that it is the applicant's responsibility to request that the letters be sent to the address below;
  • a statement from the applicant regarding the nature of his or her research interests and the work he or she would plan to pursue during the fellowship; (it may be helpful to interact with an HAO scientist when formulating the research plan);
  • a transcript of graduate school grades and an abstract of the Ph.D. thesis;

Current deadline for applications is January 4, 2010.

All application materials must be submitted as PDF files through the NCAR OpenHire webpage.
Questions should be addressed to:

Amy Knack
HAO Visitor Committee
High Altitude Observatory
National Center for Atmospheric Research
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000, U.S.A.

Postdoctoral Fellowships will be granted on the basis of proven scientific ability and relevance to planned HAO research programs. Further details may be obtained by writing to the above address, sending e-mail to Amy Knack, or sending a fax to (303) 497-1589.

Revised 13 November 2009