Deadline: January 2, 2026
Applications are open for the CIRES Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship Program 2026. The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder sponsors a prestigious Visiting Fellows program, inviting scientists to join the thriving community of researchers in Boulder, Colorado. CIRES Visiting Fellowships are intended to stimulate interdisciplinary research across the institute through engagement with CIRES researchers on campus and in Boulder’s NOAA Laboratories.
Sponsored by CIRES Fellows, Visiting Fellows work with CIRES researchers on a wide range of environmental science topics. The CIRES Visiting Fellows Program has attracted more than 350 scientists from around the world over the past 50 years; many have gone on to lasting careers in CIRES and NOAA. They encourage applications from members of groups under-represented in the environmental sciences and related disciplines. This program is funded primarily through the CIRES Cooperative Agreement with NOAA.
Benefits
- Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowships are available in two-year terms. The annual salary is $70,000 the first year with a second-year increase in line with campus merit and/or other base-building compensation increases, depending on start date.
- A research budget of up to $8,000 is included in the award, along with a modest relocation stipend for the individual (no family costs can be covered).
- A laptop will be provided, which is separate from the $8,000 research budget.
Eligibility
- The applicant should be no more than 4 years out from completion of PhD at the time of application (exceptions may be made for time off due to caretaking responsibilities or other exceptional circumstances. Contact Becca Edwards, [email protected]).
- Past or current CU Boulder graduate students and postdocs are not eligible.
- Current or former CIRES Visiting Fellows are not eligible.
- An applicant must have a Ph.D. granted in an area related to CIRES work; this includes completing the defense and all thesis revisions approved before the start of the CIRES appointment. Proof of degree will be required before the official start date.
Application
Candidates are required to submit the following materials:
- CV (2 Page NSF Template)
- Transcripts
- Cover Letter (1-2 pages)
- Expected start date, the name(s) of the sponsoring CIRES Fellow(s) and other CIRES, NOAA, and University of Colorado researchers with whom you intend to work, and a description of the nature of the collaboration with each scientist.
- Justification of how you would be a strong addition to the CIRES scientific community. Be sure to align your answers to the CIRES Strategic Plan.
- Short description of an experience or event that was pivotal in your growth as a researcher, in terms of what was learned and how it informs your approach to your research. Higher priority will be given to those who can clearly explain how this position will forward their growth as a researcher, both in terms of methodology and skillset.
- Research proposal (3 pages max including figures, 12 pt font. Figure captions can be 10 pt font. References not included in 3 page limit.)
- Proposals should outline your motivation for the work, its novelty and potential contribution to the field, the research question, the methods to be pursued, and the expected outcomes. Higher priority will be given to those who indicate an appropriate timeline for achieving these outcomes.
- Proposals should also include the scientific rationale for doing the work in CIRES, such as linkages with the research of the CIRES Fellow/Senior Research Scientist supporting your proposal.
- Remember that the proposals will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary scientific team and should therefore be written for a broad scientific audience. Feel free to contact Becca Edwards if you would like clarification on this request.
- Names and contact information of 3 people to provide letters of recommendation
- Letters of recommendation should include specific examples to illustrate the candidate’s ability to complete tasks on a reasonable timeline, independent thinking skills, creative problem solving skills, passion for the field of study, examples of perseverance when met with a challenge and the ability to work collaboratively on a team.
- CIRES sponsors cannot write recommendation letters.
- Applicants are responsible for following up with their recommendation letter writers to ensure that they get their letters submitted by the deadline.
For more information, visit CIRES Postdoctoral Visiting Fellowship.
