Whole Atmosphere Model Development and Testing

The Space Science Division of the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC seeks an early-to-mid career scientist to join a team already in place across NRL and partner institutions to develop whole-atmosphere versions of Navy weather prediction models extending to 500 km altitude. We seek a scientist to test and improve these state-of-the-science numerical models, to run them on latest high-performance computers (HPCs), to analyze their output, and to use the resulting insights to target code changes or additions that continuously improve their skill and efficiency. Relevant experience can include (but is not restricted to): (a) running multiprocessor numerical weather or climate prediction models or similar fluid dynamics codes on high-performance computers (HPCs); (b) scientific analysis of the model output; (c) comparing model output to observations or meteorological analyses to test hypotheses, to identify bias and error, to tune physical parameterizations, or to quantify skill; (d) working with large meteorological datasets (e.g., reanalysis) to infer weather or climate diagnostics, or to identify model bias and error; (e) designing idealized, control or perturbation experiments using models to test hypotheses or to identify error, instability or bias; (f) experience in state-of-the-science data analysis methods, including machine-learning techniques. An ability and willingness to work within a team environment to achieve collective goals and assigned milestones are needed.

A Ph.D. or M. Sc. in atmospheric science, computational fluid dynamics, physics, applied mathematics, meteorology, aeronomy, or a related discipline, is desired. Other useful skill sets or interests for this position include the following, though absence of any is not necessarily disqualifying so long as the candidate is willing and able to acquire these skills in the position:

• Knowledge of or interest in atmospheric models, particularly those extending into the middle and upper atmospheres, or related computational fluid dynamics codes, including making changes to and debugging such codes on multiprocessor HPC architectures.
• Demonstrated skill with high-level programming languages (e.g., MPI Fortran, C++, Java) and visualization/analysis software such as python, IDL or MatLab.
• Experience or interest in running multiprocessor code on massively parallel HPCs.
• Experience working with large atmospheric data sets generated by models (e.g., HDF5).

Further information on this position can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/773261000 . Federal positions require U.S. citizenship and an ability to pass requisite background checks to work at NRL. NRL provides telework options for approved employees. Interested candidates, including non-US permanent residents, must submit their resumes/application packages to: https://navalresearchlab.app.box.com/f/c5a2a9e890c5419a8681b4de3840afdd .  Questions regarding this position should be directed to Steve Eckermann (email: [email protected] ) or Cory Barton (email: [email protected] ). Applications will be accepted until 31 March 2024 or until the position is filled.  NRL is an equal opportunity employer.