Data Science Associate Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder is hiring a data manager to support NOAA's National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI). Based at the David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, Colorado, the successful candidate will support large volume data management for the ocean acoustic community.
Joining a multidisciplinary team of scientists, data managers, and software engineers, the candidate will assist with stewarding ocean acoustic data, inclusive of public discovery and access, and supply customer service to global data users. The candidate will also strengthen existing partnerships within the community to address a vast need for data management.
The ideal applicant will have experience managing large and/or complex data sets, possess strong organizational and communication skills, a keen attention to detail, the ability to operate independently, and a flexible, upbeat approach to collaborating with team members.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people's relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth's poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.
NCEI as the Nation's leading authority for environmental information, hosts and provides access to one of the most significant archives on Earth, encompassing comprehensive oceanic, atmospheric, and geophysical data. Its data collections span from million-year-old sediment records to near real-time satellite imagery, reaching from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun. Specifically, the marine geophysical data and information for the Nation are held and preserved at NCEI's Boulder, Colorado office.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Manage the passive acoustic data archive (50%)
• Communicate with community and archive team to coordinate and shepherd data submissions, prioritize submissions, identify enhancements or new capabilities needed to accomplish archive objectives (20%)
• Maintain relational databases to enable discovery and access to data (10%)
• Support the water column sonar data archive (10%)
• Self-manage work with a variety of projects, stakeholders, and team members concurrently (10%)

What You Should Know

• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this role. Candidates who may require visa sponsorship now or in the future or who are working in the U.S through a visa or a working permit, are not eligible for hire in this role.
• Given project deliverables, candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S on a full-time basis and have federal clearance completed by the targeted start date of November 1.
• This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated at the NOAA office in Boulder, CO (David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO).
• Selected finalists will be required to pass a federal background clearance check.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
• The hiring salary range for this position is $57,942- $85,272. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• Some relocation expenses are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado's relocation processes and procedures.
• This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality.
• CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development, and a Mentorship Program.
• Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
• As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system , which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be enlightened. Be successful. Be Boulder.
What We Require

• A bachelor's degree in marine science, Earth science, data science, or another STEM field is required.
• Experience working with and/or managing environmental data.

What You Will Need

• Flexible and proactive attitude combined with an ability to work independently and with other team members to simultaneously make progress on multiple projects.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong skills in time management. This role will require working toward several deadlines throughout the year, sometimes simultaneously.
• A strong enthusiasm for continuous learning.
• Strong networking skills to work with national and international data providers.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written English.
• Demonstrated competence, individually and as a member of a team, in the pursuit and support of scientific research.
• Demonstrated proficiency communicating with external partners and supporting multiple projects simultaneously.
• A solid foundation managing or working with environmental data.

What We Would Like You to Have
Please note that while the position details both required skills and desired skills, applicants do not need to have all of the desired skills and experience to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, have passion for the work, along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We provide on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

• Experience collecting and processing ocean acoustic data.
• Experience manipulating large volume datasets.
• Experience with object oriented and functional programming (Python experience is a plus).
• Experience with Bash programming.
• Experience with Linux.
• Familiarity with cloud services (AWS experience is a plus).
• Experience with or knowledge of relational database management systems.
• Experience with or knowledge of metadata and data exchange standards, e.g. ISO, XML, JSON, and NetCDF.
• Experience with or knowledge of spatial data and databases.
• Experience documenting standard operating procedures for technical tasks.
• General understanding of oceanography.

Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV.
2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
3. If you are identified as a finalist for this position, you will be asked to invite your references to complete a Crosschq questionnaire on your behalf. Crosschq is an online reference check solution. All information is kept confidential and shared only with the members of the search committee.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
Please apply by September 11, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.