[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoctoral Fellow I - Probabilistic Forecast, Adjoint Model Development, WRF-Solar, NCAR, Boulder, CO

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

https://bit.ly/2Gb5lhQ

Postdoctoral Fellow I - Probabilistic Forecast, Adjoint Model Development, WRF-Solar
Tracking Code
18112
Job Description

Job Title: Postdoctoral Fellow I - Probabilistic Forecast, Adjoint Model Development, WRF-Solar

Location: Boulder, CO

Type: Full-time

Term: 3 years with possibility of extension

This position will be posted until April 11, 2018 or until a sufficient number of applications have been received.  Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on an as-needed basis.

Relocation:
No relocation package is offered for this position.

Work Authorization:
UCAR/NCAR will sponsor a work visa to fill this position.

About the Organization:
Located in Boulder, Colorado, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is one of the world's premier scientific institutions, with an internationally recognized staff and research program dedicated to advancing knowledge, providing community-based resources, and building human capacity in the atmospheric and related sciences.

Job Overview:
This position will conduct research with the Weather Research & Forecasting (WRF)-Solar model doing developments to convert WRF-Solar into the first standalone framework to provide probabilistic forecasts specifically designed for solar irradiance forecasting. The research will build adjoints of relevant WRF-Solar modules for solar irradiance such as parameterizations responsible for the shortwave radiative transfer, land surface model, microphysics, boundary layer clouds and sub-grid scale clouds. The adjoints will be used to identify variables and parameters responsible for the largest sensitivities to the solar irradiance, and WRF-Solar will be developed to perturb these variables/parameters. This probabilistic WRF-Solar framework will be used to run and calibrate ensembles over U.S and evaluate the model performance.

Responsibilities:
*         Identify the variables and parameters more sensitive to solar irradiance predictions. The work will include developing adjoint models for relevant WRF-Solar modules for solar irradiance forecasting. The adjoints will be developed offline the WRF-Solar model using an adjoint compiler. A sensitivity analysis will be conducted with the adjoints to identify the variables and parameters more relevant fore irradiance predictions.
*         Calibrate an ensemble of WRF-Solar simulations over selected regions. An ensemble with a large number of members will be generated and downselection will be applied to select a reduced subset that is representative of the larger ensemble. Bayesian model averaging will be applied to calibrate the ensemble and provide the probabilistic forecast.
*         Comprehensive evaluation of the probabilistic WRF-Solar forecast. This will require coordination with other awarded project that will select the benchmarks. The validation will use the methodology identified by this other project as well.
*         Develop WRF-Solar to generate probabilistic forecast perturbing the parameters and variables identified with the adjoint models. The configuration of the variables/parameters to perturb will be controlled via the WRF namelist. The variables/parameters selected will be perturbed stochastically.
*         Communicate research results through publication in peer-reviewed journals, meeting proceedings, and presentations at scientific meetings.

Qualifications:
*         PhD degree in atmospheric sciences with expertise in numerical weather prediction models, physical parameterization, and model development.
*         Skill in analyzing numerical weather prediction model results, particularly for solar irradiance forecast.
*         Demonstrated skill in analyzing ensemble results and quantifying model uncertainty.
*         In-depth knowledge of issues surrounding solar irradiance forecasts.
*         Ability to manage and manipulate large ensembles of simulations.
*         Experience with probabilistic forecast, down selection and calibration of ensembles.
*         Familiarity with UNIX, Fortran, NetCDF, Python, and high performance computing.
*         Ability to effectively participate in and interact productively with model developers at NCAR and solar irradiance scientist at NREL.
*         Demonstrated ability to publish research results in peer-reviewed journals
*         Strong skills in written and oral communication of research results, including in an interdisciplinary context.

Desired:
*         Experience in developing adjoint models.

What's In It for You:
*         Compensation
*         PTO
*         Paid Holidays
*         Tuition Reimbursement
*         Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)
*         Retirement Plan
*         And more!

EEO/AAP Statement:
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer that strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce. 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 the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). We are committed to inclusivity and promoting an equitable environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all members of our organization.
Job Location
Boulder, Colorado, United States
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular
Appointment Type
Term Full-Time (T1)

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