Position Description

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Research Associate

 The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Position Function
The department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University is seeking a Research Associate to lead an innovative research program in AI, Deep Learning, and machine learning applications for climate science. This research position will advance cutting-edge approaches to climate prediction, extreme event detection, and seasonal forecasting while building a collaborative research group at Cornell. The position offers substantial independence in research direction while emphasizing mentorship of early career researchers and graduate students and the development of novel computational approaches to climate science challenges.

The primary focus of this position is to establish and direct a research program applying state-of-the-art AI techniques to analyze high-resolution climate datasets. Key emphasis will be placed on developing novel AI approaches for detecting anthropogenic climate signals, improving seasonal-to-decadal predictions, and creating innovative visualization methods. The Research Associate will build a team of graduate students and Postdoctoral Associates while making advanced computational methods more accessible to researchers across career stages. A central goal is to enhance the communication and visualization of climate information through innovative data science approaches, making complex climate projections more accessible to stakeholders and decision-makers.

This project offers a unique leadership opportunity to expand existing collaborations with major climate research institutions, particularly leveraging established relationships with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (NOAA GFDL), and will foster new collaborations around ML/AI with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The position emphasizes both technical innovation and research program development, connecting fundamental climate science with practical applications while building Cornell's capacity in computational climate science.

The position includes support for conferences, travel to collaborate with project partners, and resources for building a research team. Long-term career growth opportunities are available based on research success and program development.

This position is full-time and will be located in Ithaca, New York.

This is a one-year appointment with possible extension contingent on available work, funding, and performance.

Anticipated Division of Time

• (30%) Direct research program in AI/ML applications for climate science, including supervising team members, developing novel algorithms for pattern detection, extreme event attribution, and seasonal forecasting. Lead development of innovative visualization techniques and interpretable machine learning methods.
• (30%) Drive scientific output through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and grant proposals. Lead communication of complex climate science to diverse audiences and foster team members' communication skills.
• (20%) Build and maintain strategic collaborations with research partners, participate in relevant workshops, and pursue new funding opportunities to sustain and grow the research program.
• (20%) Provide senior leadership in departmental computational initiatives, including organizing workshops, mentoring students and postdocs, and developing curriculum in AI applications for climate science.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Earth System Science, Atmospheric Science, or related field.
• Postdoctoral (post-grad) experience (minimum six months in government, academia, or industry).
• Demonstrated expertise in applying machine learning to climate science problems.
• Strong publication record and proven ability to communicate science to diverse audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in Python and major ML frameworks (TensorFlow, Keras, Scikit-learn).
• Experience with high-performance computing and large climate datasets.
• Track record of successful collaboration with national laboratories and research institutions.
• Commitment to public engagement and science communication.
• Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and have reliable transportation, as well as have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver's license.

Supervision Exercised

• The successful candidate is expected to work with undergraduate and graduate group members on related or different research and provide mentorship and guidance when collaborating.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29975).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study,” via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this title is University minimum to $80,000.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information click here.