CISL Student Assistant - Data Visualization UX Engineer

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type & Term:

Student Assistant II: $23.18/hour

Student Assistant III: $23.68/hour

*Rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.*

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59:59pm MT, Thursday, May 8, 2025. Applications will not be accepted past this date.

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):

• Resume

• Questionnaire - (to be completed when submitting your application) In lieu of a traditional cover letter, the hiring team wants to learn more about your skills/experiences regarding very specific questions related to the critical skills needed to be successful in this position. Your responses to these questions will be read and weighed equally to your resume, so please ensure you're providing detailed, yet informative, responses based on your previous work experiences. That being said, we encourage you to keep responses to 2 - 4 paragraphs.

  • Describe a project you have worked on that involves data visualization, web design, or a combination of both (e.g. an interactive website for viewing data). What was your role on the project and how did it contribute to positive collaboration with others on your team?

  • CISL values providing student/intern staff with opportunities for skill development to assist with academic and career advancement. What are you hoping to learn or accomplish during your time with us? How do you see this opportunity aligning with your past experiences and helping you move toward your future goals?

Position Type & Term: This is a part-time, casual position (10-20 hours/week, not to exceed 1000 hours in a 12 month period, with the potential of 30-40 hours/week during school breaks). This is a term position through September 30, 2025 (with the possibility of extension, funding permitted).

Background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

Work Location Expectations: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person, hybrid (combination of in-person and remote), and fully remote opportunities. UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR will not sponsor a work visa to fill this position. Must be enrolled as a student in a U.S. university (U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, as long as you have visa sponsorship through your university).

Relocation: Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Here is a summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of ViSR staff:

• Help research, design, develop and test interactive multimodal data visualizations.

• Help develop knowledge and understanding of emerging technologies and how these might apply to enhance and improve data visualizations.

• Plan, execute, and analyze qualitative and quantitative user research methods (e.g., interviews, surveys, usability testing, and analytics) to understand user needs, behaviors, and pain points.

• Synthesize findings into actionable insights to inform design and development decisions.

• Assist with pre-processing atmospheric and related datasets; preparation and delivery of technical reports, journal articles, and presentations on the research findings from this work.

• May also propose, research, design, and implement new projects, tools, or process improvements to benefit the team and the environment.

Education & Experience

SA II Level:

• Must be currently enrolled in a college, university, or professional school (in the U.S.);

• Majoring in computer science, HCI, data science, engineering, or a related discipline.

SA III Level:

• Must be currently enrolled as a graduate student in a Masters or PhD program (in the U.S.);

• Program/research with a strong emphasis on HCI, data visualizations, or a related field;

• Experience designing and publishing data visualization interactives (passion projects okay).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

We encourage you to apply, even if you meet most of, but not all, the requirements below. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn matter most to our team. Successful candidates ensure their application materials speak to as much of the following:

SA II Level:

• Working skill in creating web based interactives using javascript, html, css, etc.

• Experience with javascript libraries such as React, Angular and D3 (passion projects okay).

• Familiarity with UX research methodologies and user centered development processes.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Skill in organizing and prioritizing assignments.

• Ability to identify and learn new technologies to incorporate into regular workflow.

• Willingness to support a hybrid remote/onsite work.

Desired, but not required:

• Familiarity with developing data visualizations using Python libraries such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly, or Bokeh.

• Familiarity with Unix and Windows operating systems, along with a familiarity with programming languages like C# or C++.

• Working skill in rapid prototyping of visualization interactives (passion projects okay)

• Familiarity with visualization and related graphics tools and libraries such as VAPOR, Paraview, Blender, and/or Autodesk Maya.

SA III Level:

Everything required of a SA II Level, as well as the following:

• Experience with Unix and Windows operating systems, along with a familiarity with programming languages like C# or C++.

• Ability to assist in mentoring and training

• Ability to represent the group to internal/external organizations in explaining complex technical ideas and issues.

Desired, but not required:

Anything desired of an SA II Level, as well as the following:

• Familiarity in working with atmospheric and geosciences datasets.

• Familiarity with graphic design principles, use of color, GUI layout, and/or video editing/ post-production.

• Familiarity with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

• Familiarity with public cloud (e.g., AWS etc.).

• Familiarity with fundamental software and systems engineering concepts and practices.

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.