Visitor Program

The mission of the High Altitude Observatory’s (HAO) visitor program is to increase our understanding of physical systems relevant to the Sun and their effects on the Earth by promoting interactions between highly qualified researchers in a supportive, enthusiastic environment.

This program invites applications for short-term visits and provides financial support for these visits. Appointments are available to undergraduate and graduate students, post-graduate researchers, and established researchers seeking sabbatical leave opportunities.

We welcome candidates who wish to participate in theoretical, experimental, observational, and interpretive studies in solar physics, solar-terrestrial physics, and related astrophysics. Scientists with strong backgrounds in physics (experimental or theoretical) who have not previously worked in these scientific areas, but are interested in exploring new opportunities, are encouraged to apply.

Visitors will have access to the HAO Linux/Unix computers, NCAR super computer system (Computational & Information Systems Lab), administrative support, and the HAO and NCAR libraries and data archives (UCAR library).

PROGRAMS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

• Newkirk Fellowship: The application period is January 1, 2025–March 1, 2025.
• ASP Postdoctoral Fellowship Program: See Prospective Applicants.
• Scientific Visitors: Applications are reviewed throughout the year.
• Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates or REU: Please apply directly to the LASP REU program web site and mention your interest in HAO in your application.

Further details may be obtained by e-mailing:
Kathy Peczkowicz (kathyp@ucar.edu) and Dr. Roberto Casini (casini@ucar.edu).

COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS:

• Advanced Study Program (ASP): ASP brings together talented early career scientists who can be mentored by more senior divisional scientists. This permits the exchange of ideas and fosters mutual educations. ASP functions as a natural catalyst for spurring multi-disciplinary research activities capable of crossing the science and service boundaries of divisions and programs. In turn, many of these young scientists return to the atmospheric sciences community and strengthen ties between our national center and the universities.
• Significant Opportunities In Atmospheric Research & Science (SOARS): SOARS offers summer research internships to undergraduates exploring a career in an atmospheric science or related fields such as biology, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography, physics, or social science.
• University of Colorado, LASP, (REU): The University of Colorado invites undergraduates to apply for a summer Research Experience for highly motivated students interested in solar and space physics. Students are assigned to work and be mentored by scientists at the University of Colorado's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), the High Altitude Observatory (HAO), NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science (CIRES), or NorthWest Research Associates (NWRA) on projects spanning the field of solar and space physics, from instrument hardware to data analysis to modeling of the Sun-Earth system.

A Career at UCAR: Do you want to do work that really means something? Contribute your skills and expertise to worthwhile projects, and challenge yourself to learn and grow professionally? Would you like to work for an organization that put down roots in the atmospheric sciences community decades ago, and continues to grow today?