Postdoctoral/Research Scientist Positions in AI Weather Forecasting and Climate Science at University of Chicago University of Chicago in United States

The University of Chicago’s Human-Centered Weather Forecasting (HCF) and AI for Climate Initiative are seeking multiple postdoctoral fellows and research scientists to join Project Cirrus, an interdisciplinary team focused on AI-driven weather forecasting. The project is led by Professors Pedram Hassanzadeh, Tiffany Shaw, Amir Jina, Dr. Katie Kowal (all at University of Chicago), and Professor Bill Boos (UC Berkeley). Project Cirrus aims to bridge the gap between AI advances in weather and subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting and their practical usefulness for decision-makers, especially in developing regions and the tropics.

Research topics include developing tools to understand AI weather models for forecasting tropical dynamics, creating human-centered benchmarks for decision-making, and improving AI model performance for weather extremes in data-sparse regions. The project leverages advanced scientific machine learning, atmospheric dynamics, new observations, and collaborations with national meteorological services, leading weather centers, and tech companies.

Researchers will benefit from the vibrant academic environment at the University of Chicago, including the Data Science Institute, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, and AI+Science Initiative. There are also opportunities to work with the Development Innovation Lab on expanding weather forecast access in low- and middle-income countries.

Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant field (climate science, atmospheric science, agrometeorology, physical oceanography, applied/computational mathematics, physics, engineering, or related), strong programming and numerical skills, experience with high-performance computing and large datasets, and strong communication skills. Preferred qualifications include expertise in weather forecasting or climate modeling, scientific deep learning, and experience with observational data and AI weather models.

The positions are fully funded, with a salary range of $75,000–$120,000 and full benefits. Applications are accepted until January 1, 2026, and should include a CV (with publications and references) and a 1-page statement of research fit, sent as a single PDF to Mauricio Ortiz-Riomalo ([email protected]) with the subject 'Application: Cirrus'. The start date is flexible but should be before March 1, 2026. Outstanding applicants with more than 3 years of postdoc experience may be considered for research scientist appointments.

The University of Chicago is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds. For more information, visit the project and university diversity statements linked above.