Data Assimilation Engineering Scientist, CIRES/NOAA Global Systems Laboratory

The Data Assimilation Branch (DAB) within GSL’s Assimilation, Scientific Computing, and Evaluation Novel Division (ASCEND) develops operational model capabilities for multiple applications, including aviation, severe weather, renewable energy, and general forecasting.

 

Date posted

Mar. 16, 2023 3:00 pm

Application deadline

Apr. 15, 2023 5:00 pm

Organization

CIRES/NOAA at the University of Colorado Boulder

Location

  • United States

Job description

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), a partnership of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has a job opening for a Data Assimilation Engineering Scientist at the NOAA Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) located in Boulder Colorado.

The Data Assimilation Branch (DAB) within GSL’s Assimilation, Scientific Computing, and Evaluation Novel Division (ASCEND) develops operational model capabilities for multiple applications, including aviation, severe weather, renewable energy, and general forecasting. The Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA) is a high-spatial and temporal resolution assimilation system that supports the National Weather Service and stakeholders with analyses for nowcasting and situational awareness, and serves as an Analysis of Record for forecast verification, calibration/bias-correction, and accelerated Unified Forecast System (UFS) development. RTMA development will use the Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration (JEDI) software. GSL collaboratively develops the RTMA with scientists and engineers at the Environmental Modeling Center (EMC). RTMA development is closely related to and has overlap with development of the Rapid Refresh Forecast System (RRFS) which aims to more faithfully represent atmospheric convection, clouds, fire weather conditions, and other weather hazards.

CIRES/NOAA GSL seeks a meteorological data assimilation engineering scientist to join the RTMA development team. The candidate will use and advance the JEDI software for RTMA and RRFS applications. In particular, work toward continuous assimilation approaches, analysis uncertainty estimation, and analysis of complex physical diagnostics will be prioritized. Development will take place in both NOAA High Performance Computing environments and cloud computing environments. The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to experimental and future operational RTMA prototypes including real-time experiments and the evaluation of RTMA by developers and stakeholders. The candidate will work collaboratively with the GSL and EMC development teams, as well as the larger RRFS and UFS modeling community.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities
 

Who We Are

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is a research institute within the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 800 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

The Global Systems Laboratory (GSL) is one of ten NOAA Research laboratories and is located in Boulder, Colorado. The GSL researchers develop the-state-of-the-art weather and air quality models, state-of-the-science decision support tools and visualization systems, and use high-performance computing technology to support a Weather-Ready Nation. GSL strives to advance its workforce scientifically, technically, and professionally. We are also committed to increased diversity equity, inclusion and accessibility as well as a strong foundation for career growth.

Global Systems Laboratory website:

https://gsl.noaa.gov/

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

  • Develop, test, and evaluate future operational RTMA prototypes.
  • Implement techniques to estimate RTMA analysis uncertainty and/or provide analysis of complex physical diagnostics.
  • Use and advance JEDI software for RTMA/RRFS applications.
  • Work collaboratively via version control software, communication, and presentations with the team.

Additional responsibilities for Research Scientists:

  • Adopt novel data assimilation techniques to improve RTMA/RRFS applications.
  • In addition to the duties identified above, within CIRES/NOAA GSL, a Research Scientist is also responsible for conducting original research and/or supporting research through work in the field of Atmospheric Sciences.
  • Outreach, education, and service activities are also important components of a Research Scientist’s effort.

What We Require

  • A B.S. degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, computer science, physics, mathematics or another STEM field and at least 4 years of experience working on software development or data assimilation, OR
  • A M.S. degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, computer science, physics, mathematics or another STEM field and at least 2 years of experience working on software development or data assimilation.
  • Finalists for this position will need to pass a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI, federal background check).

Additional requirements for Research Scientists:

  • Ph.D. in meteorology, atmospheric science, computer science, physics, mathematics or STEM field.

What You Will Need

  • Strong programming skills in at least one modern advanced programming language (e.g. Fortran or C++).
  • Ability to use a version control system (e.g. Git/GitHub).
  • Ability to work under high performance computing environments.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Additional need for Research Scientist:

  • Ability to lead analytical research projects.

What We Would Like You to Have

Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this “What We Would Like You to Have” section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

  • Experience with meteorological data assimilation (JEDI, GSI, or DART, etc.)
  • Experience with one or more of the following programming languages:
    • Fortran
    • C++
    • Python
    • Linux Shell scripting languages
  • Experience with one or more of the following softwares:
    • Scientific data formats (grib2, netCDF, BUFR)
    • CMake
    • Slurm
  • Experience with the NOAA’s UFS short-range weather application.
  • Excellent written and oral presentation skills.

For more details

https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/CIRES-NOAA-Global-Systems-Laboratory-Data-Assimilation-Engineering-Scientist/46725