The Frederick S. Pardee Institute for International Futures is the home of long-term forecasting and global trend analysis at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. International Futures (IFs) is a large-scale, long-term, integrated global modeling system that represents demographic, economic, health, energy, agriculture, education, infrastructure, socio-political, environmental, and international politics subsystems for 188 countries interacting in the global system. The Pardee Institute works heavily on sponsored research projects with various government institutions, international organizations, NGOs, and to a lesser extent, private sector clients.

The Pardee Institute is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and staff who, in turn, are committed to working in a pluralistic environment.

Position Summary

The Pardee Institute seeks to hire a Modeler-Developer specializing in Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) with web interface capabilities. This individual will play an important role in the ongoing development of the International Futures (IFs) model system in support of a wide range of applications and users of IFs inside and outside of the Institute. IFs is an integrated assessment that is programmed in the .NET framework. (Pardee migrated from Visual Basic 6 mostly to VB.NET in 2023.) IFs has extensive connections to data files using SQL and MS Access. Its structure draws upon a wide range of modeling approaches including those typically used in its issue areas (e.g. general equilibrium in economics, partial equilibrium in agriculture and energy, and cohort-component analysis in demographics). Its development draws on hybrid logics as varied as econometrics/statistical analysis and systems dynamics.

The person we seek will have technical skills to implement models, often created by others on the IFs modeling team, within the IFs code or database framework (VB.net, SQL, and MS Access). Experience in .NET development is essential, ideally in both standalone and web applications. That individual must be willing and able to work productively within and across multiple substantive issue areas, understand dynamic model behavior, and implement extension of the system. The position will involve extensive interaction with other research team members developing and applying the model. Writing will include contributions to documentation and project-specific deliverables, with opportunities to participate also in papers for professional conferences and publications. Collaboration with modeling and project teams is an essential element of this role.

Essential Functions

The primary function of this position is in the ongoing development and maintenance of IFs, including the implementation of new models or improvements to existing ones, evaluation of technical model performance, and updating the technical documentation of IFs.

• Model implementation: collaborating with model developers to develop new models and then lead the implementation of them in IFs (using VB.net), including adding new variables and parameters
• Model evaluation and maintenance: ensure operational validity of the model by performing regular vetting, validation, and verification tests to ensure model performance, including helping solve issues producing bad/unexpected behavior
• Interface (GUI) implementation: helping implement new requirements (using VB.NET-ASP.NET)
• Interface support and maintenance: help with day to day bugs reported by users, including maintenance of the Issue Tracking System where we manage priorities and responsibilities for given issues
• Communication: participate in brainstorming sessions for troubleshooting issues or developing new models or features and provide regular, timely updates on development efforts to relevant stakeholders
• Model documentation: produce technical documentation of new code or features to update the International Futures documentation (on wiki)
• Model consolidation and development: participate in the model consolidation process, where the modeling team coordinates updates prior to new model releases
• Analysis: think critically about the model’s structure, assumptions, and limitations, while identifying simple ways to improve or adapt the model to different scenarios
• Data validation: ensure accuracy in code, data processing, and the interpretation of model results, especially when working with complex environmental and economic systems
• Contribute to documentation and project-specific deliverables, with opportunities to participate also in papers for professional conferences and publications.
• Develop and lead trainings on using IFs.
• May supervise Research Assistants and/or full-time research staff
• May be asked to supervise third parties that develop software or tools for the Institute

In all activities, the Systems Developer is expected to model the desired qualities of all Institute employees in their own behavior, including a spirit of courtesy and teamwork, commitment to meeting demanding deadlines, stewardship of Institute financial and physical resources, and integrity in all dealings with clients, donors, and sponsors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Core Modeling and Quantitative Skills

• Basic Understanding of IAMs: Familiarity with the structure and purpose of IAMs, including their role in modeling climate change, energy systems, and policy scenarios
• Mathematical and Statistical Foundations: Knowledge of basic mathematical concepts, including algebra, linear equations, and basic statistics, to understand and apply simple model structures.
• Data Analysis: Ability to work with datasets, perform basic statistical analysis, and handle data processing tasks in tools like Python or R

Web Development Skills

• HTML, CSS, and Basic JavaScript: Solid understanding of HTML for structuring web pages, CSS for styling, and basic JavaScript for interactive web elements
• Web Frameworks (ASP.NET, Flask/Django or Node.js): Exposure to web frameworks like ASP.NET (preferred), Flask or Django (Python-based), or Node.js for creating simple web applications that interact with IAM models
• Basic Data Visualization: Familiarity with tools like Plotly, Matplotlib (Python), or basic JavaScript libraries (e.g., Chart.js, Highcharts - preferred) to create interactive and static data visualizations for web applications

Programming Skills

• VB.NET, Python or R: Proficiency in at least one programming language, especially VB.NET, for basic model development, data manipulation, and analysis. Knowledge of libraries like NumPy, pandas, or SciPy for scientific computing is helpful
• Version Control (Git): Basic experience with Git for version control to manage code updates and collaborate in team settings

Soft Skills

• Team Collaboration: Desire for inviting and considering other perspectives and ideas.
• Communication: Clear and timely communication of technical concepts, particularly for presenting model results in simple terms, whether in reports or brief discussions.
• Eagerness to Learn: Openness to developing new skills in both modeling and web development through mentorship and self-learning, and actively seeking feedback to improve

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• Experience working collaboratively on software development or computer science-related projects
• Experience functioning within a team, working on multiple projects simultaneously, and meeting deadlines
• Experience in programming with .NET (VB especially useful)
• Willingness to work across all issue domains in IFs

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 3-5 years of experience working with software development, systems administration, or related technical research
• Experience with or exposure to integrated modeling systems used to address issues of global change
• Experience in programming with the following: Python, Java, SQL, d3.js, or other relevant coding languages
• Specialized knowledge in one or more of the issue domains of the IFs system

Working Environment

• Fast-paced office environment
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high
• Noise level is quiet to moderate

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  In accordance with the University’s flexible work policy, this position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Further details regarding this plan will be determined with the hiring manager and are dependent on the division and team specific needs.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) March 21, 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 11.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $68,000 - $78,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.