Postdoc/Research Scientist - AI Weather Forecasting

The University of Chicago’s Human-centered Weather Forecasting (HCF) and AI for Climate Initiative invite applications for multiple postdoctoral fellow and research scientist positions to work at the intersection of AI and human-centered weather forecasting. The researchers will join Project Cirrus, an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team led by Professors Pedram Hassanzadeh , Tiffany Shaw , and Amir Jina , and Dr. Katie Kowal at the University of Chicago and Professor Bill Boos at UC Berkeley. This project builds on HCF’s recent success in benchmarking, developing, and generating AI forecasts for the Indian monsoon onset, which were disseminated to 38 million farmers in India by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare . Project Cirrus aims to bridge the gap between AI advances in weather and subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting and their practical usefulness for decision-makers in developing regions, with a focus on the tropics. The project leverages advanced tools from scientific machine learning, knowledge of atmospheric dynamics, new observations, and close connections with national meteorological services, as well as several leading weather forecasting centers and tech companies.

Broadly, the topics of interest include:

1. Developing tools to understand the strengths and limitations of AI weather models for forecasting tropical dynamics across time scales.
2. Developing human-centered benchmarks to inform decision-making for large-scale dissemination.
3. Understanding and improving the performance of AI models for weather extremes and shocks, particularly in regions with sparse observations.

In addition to being part of the dynamic HCF and AICE communities, these researchers will benefit from participating in major activities around AI and climate at the University of Chicago, organized by the Data Science Institute , the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth , and the AI+Science Initiative . The researchers will also have the opportunity to work on the international efforts of the Development Innovation Lab (DIL) to expand access to weather forecasts in low- and middle-income countries.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a PhD in Climate Science, Atmospheric Science, Agrometeorology, Physical Oceanography, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a related field at the time of the appointment;
• Strong programming and numerical skills;
• Experience with high-performance computing and analysis of large datasets;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong communication skills.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in weather forecasting or climate modeling/dynamics;
• Familiarity with theoretical and practical aspects of scientific deep learning;
• Experience working with observational data, such as remote sensing measurements of precipitation and soil moisture, as well as ground-based measurements;
• Experience with AI weather models.

These positions are benefits-eligible, and information regarding benefits can be found here .

Application Process:

Interested candidates should send:

1. A complete curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications and contact information of at least three references,
2. A statement (max 2 pages) detailing how their past research experience, interests, and career plans would fit the aforementioned topics.

Please send these materials as a single PDF file to Mauricio Ortiz-Riomalo ([email protected]) with the subject line “Application: Cirrus”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until January 15, 2026. Note that some of our team members will be attending AGU and AMS meetings. They will be happy to meet and answer any questions. Contact [email protected].

The start date can be flexible but should be before March 1, 2026. Depending on the applicant’s background and interests, the appointment will be made at the Department of Geophysical Sciences or the Data Science Institute.

Research Scientist Appointments:

Outstanding applicants with more than 3 years of postdoc experience will be considered for appointment as research scientists.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at .

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email [email protected] with their request.