Job Description Summary:

The CGD Laboratory at NSF NCAR is excited to open a Student Assistant II position. The successful candidate will work on profiling the performance of the Modular Ocean Model version 6 (MOM6) across resolutions, identifying bottlenecks when scaling, and modifying code as needed to gain further detail, all to inform future work on coupled atmosphere/ocean capabilities at km-scale resolutions. This is a part-time position that will require approximately 10 hours per week.

More information about CGD can be found online at https://www.cgd.ucar.edu/.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term:

Part time, Casual

Compensation Min - Mid Range:

Hiring Hourly Rate: $23.81/hour

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.*

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59:59 pm MDT on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Position type: HYBRID - This position is Hybrid and requires 3 days a week in the office (Boulder, CO)

Required application materials:

• Resume

• Cover Letter - Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).

• Questionnaire (embedded in the application)

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

What You Will Do

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

• Engages in model performance profiling (weak/strong scaling, timing, memory tracking, etc.), as well as code development to better identify potential areas needing additional development. 

• Provides analysis of specific characteristics such as MPI message passing and I/O scaling, and potentially architecture-specific comparisons, as needed, driven by key findings.

• Communicates results in a broader context to senior scientists and engineers at NCAR & NOAA as needed, with an emphasis on presenting complex data in spreadsheets and graphs.

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

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

Education and Experience:

• Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program with a major in the earth sciences, computing, engineering, or related field, and have completed their sophomore year or higher.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools and programs

• Basic problem-solving skills.

• Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions.

• Good oral and written communication skills.

• Skill in the use of software for communication purposes (e.g., Google Sheets, Slides and Docs).

• Familiarity with the Linux command-line and basic HPC usage

• Ability to interact with scientists and software engineers in a manner that supports collaboration and inquiry.

• Willingness to seek help when needed

• Ability and willingness to work within the guidelines and policies of NSF NCAR and assigned laboratories or programs.

• Willingness to contribute to the NCAR community and mission.

• Potential to excel in a scientific career.

Desired, but not Required:

• Ability or willingness to learn using GitHub to manage collaborative software development.

• Basic knowledge, through coursework, of earth sciences, ecosystem science, or computer science.

• Basic knowledge or interest in High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

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.

Some Final Considerations

At NSF NCAR| UCAR | UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated t