[ES_JOBS_NET] Scientist I/II/III, Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory (CGD), NCAR

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

https://ucar.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=218464&company_id=15947

Scientist I/II/III
Job Description
Scientist I/II/III

Location:  Boulder, CO

Type: Full-time, Exempt

Application Deadline:
This position will be posted until a sufficient number of applications have been received.  Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on an as-needed basis.

Relocation:
Relocation assistance is available for this position.

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


Where You Will Work

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.  NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory (CGD) is part of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Its mission is to: (1) discover the key processes in each component of the Earth's climate system and the interactions among them (2) represent this understanding in models and thereby provide a basis for prediction of climate; and (3) apply this understanding and these models to scientific problems of societal relevance. We fulfill our mission through a strong record of achievement in scientific research, community modeling and data set development.

NCAR's Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) is a leader in supercomputing and data services necessary for the advancement of atmospheric and geospace science. CISL's mission is to remain a leader at the forefront of ensuring that research universities, NCAR, and the larger geosciences community have access to the computational resources they need for their research. CISL's portfolio also includes computational science research targeted at atmospheric sciences, in an interdisciplinary manner that incorporates computer science, mathematics, statistics, and software engineering.

What You Will Do

This is a joint position between CGD and CISL and will be filled at either the Scientist 1, 2 or 3 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher levels.

This position carries out scientific research primarily on coupled data assimilation in support of the evolving climate prediction efforts in the Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory. The person works as part of a team, but leads many aspects of coupled data assimilation, as well as contributes to related prediction and predictability analysis involving components of the Earth System.

Provides high or expert level scientific, technical, and analysis knowledge. The position will work on advancing our data assimilation framework within the Community Earth System Model and Data Assimilation Research Testbed (CESM + DART) by implementing new capabilities and assessing their impacts on data assimilation products. The incumbent will also work on providing coupled model diagnostics to identify the origin of coupled model biases using data assimilation. This position will provide leadership and supervision to a software engineer dedicated to the development of coupled data assimilation.  The incumbent will utilize and develop the necessary graphics and analysis tools.

Expectations include to participate in or be lead (Scientist 2-3) on proposals, particularly in support of this project; to lead reports and peer-reviewed papers; and to present results on a regular basis.

Due to the collaborative nature of this work, the person will interact with the researchers in the DART group and with developers of CESM component models, such as the Modular Ocean Model version 6 (MOM6) developers at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), as well as design, conduct, and analyze joint numerical data assimilation experiments.

Although broad priorities will be determined in consultation with the NCAR investigators of the overall effort, the person is expected to operate with a high degree of independence, leading day-to-day activities of the project's data assimilation efforts.

Responsibilities include:
Serves as an expert in coupled data assimilation
*        Leads and conducts scientific research to:
i) advance data assimilation capabilities,
ii) improve climate prediction by implementing new features, improving existing methods, and assessing their impacts on the results, and
iii) improve the fidelity of CESM and its component models.
*        Manages development timetable and designs and implements methods/strategies for advancing toward a fully-coupled data assimilation framework.
*        Leads, designs and conducts all the associated sensitivity experiments.

Leads the design and analysis of the data assimilation experiments
*        Designs and develops new analysis tools, including advanced statistical methods.
*        Assesses and revises the research plan as needed.
*        Assists with the coupled prediction simulations as needed.
*        Contributes to the analysis of prediction and predictability simulations.
*        Provides supervision to Software Engineer developer.

Leads and participates in the writing of scientific journal articles and formal reports, documenting findings
*        Presents results at relevant meetings.
*        Leads and participates in proposal writing.

Documents experimental and diagnostics procedures
*        Organizes and maintains a comprehensive database of simulation output and analysis.
*        Makes this information available to collaborators.

Lead contact for the broader research community on ocean data assimilation, particularly the CESM + DART framework
*        Interacts with internal and external collaborators.

What You Need (Minimum Requirements)

Education and Experience Required for all Levels:
Ph.D. in oceanic, atmospheric, earth sciences, mathematics, or physical sciences.

Scientist 1 Level - Ph.D. plus 1-5 years of relevant experience in at least one of these areas.
Scientist 2 and Scientist 3 Levels - PhD. plus 6-10 years of relevant experience in at least one of these areas respectively.
Scientist 3 level - Demonstrated national leadership in the field of coupled data assimilation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Scientist level 1
*        Advanced knowledge of the physical and mathematical basis of data assimilation, particularly state estimation; and thorough understanding, through published or academic work, of modeling complex geophysical processes.
*        Experience with running coupled climate models, their components or data assimilation systems. Ability to apply this experience to CESM and CESM+DART; the ocean component of the CESM and CESM+DART; and designing and implementing reliable Fortran modules for complex geophysical systems, particularly ocean models and data assimilation systems.
*        Advanced knowledge of the UNIX operating system and its variants, including skill in writing shell scripts; graphical analysis tools, e.g., IDL, NCL; and data analysis methodologies for global climate models and data assimilation.
*        Expert knowledge of ocean, atmosphere or coupled data assimilation and statistical analysis methods.
*        Advanced skill in scientific research.
*        Excellent oral and written communication skills and knowledge of web-based communication.
*        Demonstrated experience in working with large scientific computer programs.
*        Demonstrated experience in developing complex simulation models.
*        Demonstrated experience in writing for scientific peer reviewed journals.


Scientist level 2/3
In addition to the requirements outlined for Scientist level 1 above, qualification at the Scientist 2/3 level requires:
*        Expert knowledge of the physical and mathematical basis of data assimilation, particularly state estimation; and thorough understanding, through published or academic work, of modeling complex geophysical processes.
*        Extensive experience with running coupled climate models, their components or data assimilation systems. Ability to apply this experience to CESM and CESM+DART; the ocean component of the CESM and CESM+DART; and designing and implementing reliable Fortran modules for complex geophysical systems, particularly ocean models and data assimilation systems. Demonstrated innovative methods for solving large-scale data assimilation problems of relevance to the climate system.
*        Advanced project-management skills. Ability to develop project goals and work independently to ensure timely completion of project requirements.
*        Demonstrated skill in directing the work of supporting scientists and software engineers and in leading teams of scientists to meet project objectives.

Notes to all Applicants:
All Applicants Requested to Provide:
*        Cover letter
*        Statement of research interests and how they might contribute to the CGD mission and strategic plan
*        Current CV/Resume
*        Names of four potential references.

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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