23-149: Python Developer – HigherEdJobs

Position Location
Fort Collins, CO

Work Location
Position qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional Position: Yes

Posting Number: 202302052AP

Position Type: Admin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification Title
Research Associate II

Work Hours/Week: 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range
Commensurate with experience and qualifications as follows: – Research Associate II: $70,000 – $90,000 – Research Associate III: $80,000 – $100,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on
01/07/2024

Description of Work Unit

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) is a multi-million dollar research organization located on CSU’s Foothills Campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. CIRA is a cooperative institute (CI) that is also a research department within CSU’s College of Engineering, in partnership with the Department of Atmospheric Science. Its vision is to conduct interdisciplinary research in the atmospheric sciences by entraining skills beyond the meteorological disciplines, exploiting advances in engineering and computer science, facilitating transitional activity between pure and applied research, leveraging both national and international resources and partnerships, and assisting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CSU, the State of Colorado, and the Nation through the application of our research to areas of societal benefit. Expanding on this Vision, our Mission is to serve as a nexus for multi-disciplinary cooperation among CI and NOAA research scientists, University faculty, staff and students in the context of NOAA-specified research theme areas in satellite applications for weather/climate forecasting. Important bridging elements of the CI include the communication of research findings to the international scientific community, transition of applications and capabilities to NOAA operational users, education and training programs for operational user proficiency, outreach programs to K-12 education and the general public for environmental literacy, and understanding and quantifying the societal impacts of NOAA research.

Position Summary

The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University (CSU) seeks to hire a Research Associate to work on the CSU Foothills Campus, located 5 miles Northwest of the CSU main campus. The individual in this position will support multiple projects at CIRA and will focus upon projects funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). They will work as part of a small, multi-institutional team to develop, maintain, and operate the Geolocated Information Processing System (GeoIPS). They will also assist CIRA scientists with integration of their scientific algorithms into GeoIPS.

GeoIPS is a plugin-based Python application for manipulating geolocated data to produce imagery and scientific data sets. It is currently in operational use by the US Navy and has been deployed at some NOAA institutions. GeoIPS is currently undergoing significant development in support of multiple ONR-funded projects.

This position will allow flexible work arrangements including hybrid office/telework, and will be classified Research Associate II or III according to the credentials of the finalist selected for hire as follows:

• For position title Research Associate II:
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field PLUS 3-4 years of professional software development experience. -OR-
  • Master’s Degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field.
• For position title Research Associate III:
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field PLUS 5 or more years of professional software development experience -OR-
  • Master’s Degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field PLUS 2 or more years of professional software development experience -OR-
  • Ph.D. in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field.

Candidates for this position must be a US citizen due to this position being funded by a US Department of Defense contract, and export control restrictions.

Required Job Qualifications

Note: Please detail each of these items in your cover letter.

• For position title Research Associate II:
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field PLUS 3-4 years of professional software development experience. -OR-
  • Master’s Degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field.
• For position title Research Associate III:
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field PLUS 5 or more years of professional software development experience -OR-
  • Master’s Degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field PLUS 2 or more years of professional software development experience -OR-
  • Ph.D. in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field.
• Must be a US citizen due to this position being funded by a US Department of Defense contract, and export control restrictions.
• 2+ years of experience developing Object-oriented Python applications.
• Experience using Git for version control.
• For RAIII:
  • Demonstrated experience working independently on production-ready code projects.
  • Experience acting in a supervisory or delegatory role (e.g., development lead, technical lead, project manager, principal investigator, etc.).

Preferred Job Qualifications

In your cover letter, please specifically address the applicable preferred qualifications for this position. A cover letter that fails to address the preferred qualifications for this position may not be considered further after review by the search committee.

• 5+ years of experience developing Object-oriented Python applications.
• Experience manipulating large geolocated datasets (e.g. satellite imagery) and complex data formats (e.g. NetCDF, HDF).
• Experience writing comprehensive documentation for Python packages, preferably using RST and Sphinx.
• Experience writing comprehensive unit tests for Python packages, preferably using Pytest.
• Experience with packaging and distributing pure-Python applications and Python packages that include C/C++ or Fortran extensions.
• Experience developing in complied language (e.g. C/C++, Fortran 95 or newer).
• Experience developing CI/CD, preferably via GitHub Actions or GitLab-CI.
• Experience manipulating and developing SQL databases.

Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Job Duty Category: Application Development, Documentation, and Maintenance

Duty/Responsibility

• Become fully acquainted with the architecture and inner workings of GeoIPS for geolocated data processing.
• In collaboration with the larger GeoIPS team:
  • Make improvements to the current GeoIPS infrastructure in support of funded project goals.
  • Complete and maintain the GeoIPS user and developer documentation.
  • Conceive and implement more comprehensive unit tests for GeoIPS and its associated plugin packages.
  • Develop an updated Command Line Interface (CLI).
  • Improve GeoIPS CI/CD pipelines including testing, packaging, and deployment.

Percentage Of Time: 60

Job Duty Category: Scientist Support

Duty/Responsibility

• Assist scientists with updating their algorithms to act as GeoIPS plugins.
• Make updates to GeoIPS as required to allow integration of scientific algorithms including fixing bugs, improving efficiency, improving existing features, and adding new features.
• Assist with development and presentation of GeoIPS training materials and workshops.

Percentage Of Time: 20

Job Duty Category: Leadership

Duty/Responsibility

• Using thorough knowledge of GeoIPS, review code updates from other GeoIPS contributors to assess their need, functionality, completeness, and conformance to standards. Approve these code updates when they are ready for release, suggesting any changes as necessary.
• In collaboration with the CIRA GeoIPS lead, prepare periodic reports discussing work completed by the CIRA GeoIPS team.
• for RA-III: Leverage development experience to provide guidance to other team members on task identification and completion.

Percentage Of Time: 20

Special Instructions to Applicants

NOTE: In your cover letter, please specifically address the required and preferred qualifications of this position. A cover letter that fails to address the qualifications of this position may not be further considered after review by the search committee.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

Conditions of Employment
Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search Contact
Linn Barrett, linn.barrett@colostate.edu

EEO Statement

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.

The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu.

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.

Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Minimum References Requested
3

Maximum References Requested
3