Project Scientist, NCAR – Climate & Global Dynamics Laboratory (CGD) – Climate Change Research (CCR), Boulder, CO

Project Scientist I
Tracking Code: 16317
https://ucar.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobInfo&version=1&jobid=217906

Job Description

Project Scientist I

 PLEASE NOTE:  This is a full-time position.  Initial consideration will be given to applications received prior to 4:00 p.m. on June 3, 2016, or until a sufficient number of applications have been received.  Thereafter, applications will be reviewed on an as-needed basis.


NCAR – Climate & Global Dynamics Laboratory (CGD) – Climate Change Research (CCR)

Partial relocation benefits will be provided

UCAR/NCAR will sponsor a work visa to fill this position 

BASIC JOB FUNCTION: 

This is a position in support of the DOE/UCAR Cooperative Agreement (CA) for the Regional and Global Climate Modeling Program. The primary activities are to run various versions of CESM related to scientific questions involving climate variability and climate change relevant to the CA, and to assess factors that affect present and future hydroclimate.  Climate model output and observations will be analyzed to study processes producing hydrological cycle and hydroclimate response (e.g.  involving monsoons, rainfall regimes, hydrological cycle processes and feedbacks) to changes in external forcings.  Output from various versions of CESM, multi-model ensembles, and large model ensembles will be analyzed to quantify processes and mechanisms related to climate variability and climate change and the relative role of different feedbacks in climate system response that affect hydroclimate.  The incumbent will perform scientific research in these areas that support climate variability and climate change research, and play a central, visible role in the dissemination of scientific results through presentations, reports, and the refereed scientific literature.

 

The incumbent is expected to operate with a significant degree of independence. Priorities will be determined in conjunction with the Project PI.

DUTIES INCLUDE:

  • Collaborates with scientists and software engineers to set up and run climate change experiments with versions of CESM on various NSF and DOE computing platforms. Designs and implements experiments for climate models. May manage many model simulations running on different systems at one time. Conducts a set of model diagnostics throughout the model simulation and communicates with the CA data manager for post processing and archiving of output data. 
  • Analyzes multiple versions of CESM and multi-model ensembles and compares to observational data to determine processes, assess biases, and design improvements.
  • Conducts high quality, independent and collaborative research addressing the aspects of climate sensitivity/change related to hydroclimate.   Publishes results in conference proceedings and peer reviewed journals.  Participates in national and international meetings.

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Education and Experience:

  • Ph.D. or equivalent in atmospheric, climate, or related earth sciences, plus 2 years of relevant experience in at least one of these areas.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with large scientific computer programs and complex data sets.
  • Demonstrated experience in applying complex simulation models to atmospheric problems, comparing them to observations and drawing scientifically sound conclusions.
  • Demonstrated experience in writing for scientific peer reviewed journals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Demonstrated understanding, through published or academic work, of modeling complex, geophysical processes.
  • Specialized knowledge and experience in analyzing climate model experiments to study hydroclimate processes
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the physical and mathematical basis of global coupled climate models.
  • Demonstrated experience with running CESM.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing reliable Fortran modules for complex geophysical systems.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the UNIX operating system and its variants.
  • Knowledge of graphical analysis tools, e.g., IDL, NCL.
  • Knowledge of data analysis methodologies for global climate models.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to assess priorities.

Decision Making and Problem Solving:

  • No budget or hiring or supervisory responsibilities.
  • Analyzes observations and processes them for comparison to climate model output.
  • Solves routine to complex problems with minimal supervision, including debugging problems with the model setup.
  • Makes independent decisions to design sensitivity experiments and to devise diagnostics techniques / tools to evaluate model response to external forcings.

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
Regular, Full-Time (R1)

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