Working at SSEC
Come join us if you are passionate about solving real-world problems whether through coding to visualize environmental data in novel ways or calibrating an instrument to refine its atmospheric-sensing capabilities or leading cutting-edge research to study Earth’s atmosphere.
We are a world leader in atmospheric research and instrument development that is firmly grounded in our role as the birthplace of satellite meteorology. And we are proud of our inventive, creative and collaborative staff.
We’re always looking for talented individuals with expertise in:
- weather and climate research,
- satellite remote sensing,
- data science and data visualization,
- engineering and instrument development,
- computer science and software development,
- grants management and administration,
- science communication and
- education, outreach and training.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is one of the largest employers in Dane County with a vibrant, international workforce made up of people who, like you, are committed to making our planet a better place.
If you’re interested, let’s talk. Together we can raise awareness, preparedness and resilience to changes in weather and climate.
Current Openings
Staff
Undergraduate Students
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About openings
SSEC hires undergraduate students as interns or hourly employees from a range of academic backgrounds. If you possess a knack for web development, information technology, atmospheric science, administrative support and you don’t see a position listed here, please contact us because we might be looking for someone with your skill set.
Internships
Hourly Positions
Graduate Students
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About openings
Each year, SSEC investigators hire research assistants to contribute to ongoing programs in weather and climate research, satellite remote sensing, software engineering, data visualization and science communication, among others. Please contact us for more information and to let us know what your interests are.
- No available positions at this time.
Postdoctoral Positions
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About openings
SSEC invites inquiries from individuals interested in exploring postdoctoral opportunities. Postdoctoral fellows develop research projects in collaboration with SSEC scientists who provide mentorship and may have complementary research interests. Postdocs have the freedom to pursue their own research interests and are responsible for the design and execution of their projects.
If you’re interested in a postdoc at SSEC, please send us an email telling us about yourself and your research interests.
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Position Requirements: Required Qualifications: • A Ph.D. in atmospheric science, meteorology, geoscience, remote sensing, applied physics, data science, computer science, engineering, or a closely related field by the start date. • Thorough programming experience in Python, including demonstrated ability to develop, debug, document, and maintain scientific analysis code. • Practical working experience in a Unix/Linux computing environment and with git-based version control. • Experience developing machine learning models for environmental, geophysical, or remote-sensing applications. • Demonstrated experience analyzing large, complex scientific or geophysical data sets. • Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, interpret results critically, and communicate findings through publications and presentations. Preferred Qualifications (will have one or more): • Research experience in satellite meteorology, hyperspectral infrared sounding, atmospheric thermodynamic retrievals, or use of instruments such as AIRS, IASI, CrIS, MTG-IRS, GOES ABI, or related satellite systems. • Knowledge of upper-tropospheric/lower-stratospheric dynamics, static stability, tropopause structure, gravity waves, mountain waves, jet-stream dynamics, or clear-air turbulence. • Experience with numerical weather prediction data, aircraft observations, turbulence observations, or aviation weather validation data. • Familiarity with scientific Python tools for large geophysical data sets, such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, xarray, netCDF4, matplotlib, scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch. • Experience with high-performance computing, reproducible workflows, containerized software environments, code packaging, or research-to-operations software practices. Position Duties: The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC) seeks a postdoctoral research associate to support satellite-based aviation turbulence research, with primary emphasis on using hyperspectral infrared sounder information, numerical weather prediction fields, and aircraft turbulence observations to evaluate atmospheric diagnostics relevant to turbulence. The position will involve scientific programming, large geophysical data analysis, statistical validation, machine learning experiments, delivering conference presentations, publishing research, and collaboration with CIMSS/SSEC scientists and NOAA partners. The initial appointment is for one year, with the potential for renewal depending on performance, funding availability, and project needs. Application Instructions: Please submit a CV and list of three professional references to Denise Weidner at denise.weidner@ssec.wisc.edu. In your CV, include a section upfront describing your background relevant to the listed required and preferred qualifications. The start date is flexible but is expected to be no later than September 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.