Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Modeler - Staff Scientist

LLNL•Livermore, CA

21d

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is hiring an Atmospheric Scientist and Modeler to conduct consequence assessments for hazardous-material dispersal. The position is part of a multidisciplinary team in the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC), which supports emergency planning, real-time assessment, emergency response, and detailed studies of atmospheric releases of nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, and hazardous natural materials. It is within the Atmospheric Science Research and Applications group in the Atmospheric, Earth, and Energy Division of the Physical Life Science Directorate. The successful candidate will produce atmospheric dispersion modeling calculations and consequence assessments, use NARAC modeling tools to address moderately complex to complex technical problems, and communicate findings through reports and presentations to internal and external audiences. The role includes monthly on-call rotations in the NARAC Operations Center, technical support for NARAC users and stakeholders, developing and documenting procedures, and monthly testing of the modeling suite. Occasional travel to coordinate with collaborators may be required. At the SES.3 level, the position also leads complex technical projects, coordinates scope, staffing, schedules, and budgets, develops proposed work scopes and sponsor proposals, conducts novel research, develops or adapts modeling methods and capabilities, documents findings, and provides technical guidance and input to team strategy.

Requirements

Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for this clearance.
M.S. or higher in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Engineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Desire to work in an operational or emergency response role.
Experience applying microscale, boundary layer, or regional meteorology theories to moderately complex to complex problems.
Verbal and written communication skills to interact clearly and concisely and explain technical information.
Initiative, interpersonal skills, and ability to work in a dynamic, sometimes fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment.
Ability to travel occasionally to coordinate work with collaborators.
At the SES.3 level, advanced knowledge in atmospheric science, atmospheric transport and dispersion, numerical modeling, or a related specialty, and demonstrated ability to independently lead technical work.
At the SES.3 level, demonstrated experience in proposal development.
At the SES.3 level, an established record of advancing research in atmospheric processes, demonstrated through publications and other research products.
At the SES.3 level, advanced verbal and written communication skills to provide technical advice to management, sponsors, and collaborators.

Nice To Haves

Experience creating regional or national weather forecasts and communicating weather impacts to non-expert audiences.
Familiarity with atmospheric forecast models such as WRF, MPAS, CESM, or similar, including urban-scale atmospheric models.
Familiarity with atmospheric dispersion models such as Hysplit, FLEXPART, STILT, AERMOD, CALPUFF, CMAQ, or similar.
Programming experience with Python, Matlab, C++, FORTRAN, or Java.

Responsibilities

Create atmospheric dispersion modeling calculations for hazardous atmospheric releases and provide consequence assessments.
Develop assessments using NARAC modeling tools to resolve moderately complex to complex technical problems.
Communicate results to internal and external audiences through written technical reports and presentations.
Participate in monthly on-call rotations in the NARAC Operations Center.
Provide technical expertise and scientific support to NARAC users and stakeholders.
Develop and document operating procedures and perform monthly testing of the NARAC modeling suite.
At the SES.3 level, lead complex technical projects and tasks, providing technical direction and coordinating project scope, staffing, schedules, and budgets.
At the SES.3 level, develop proposed work scopes and contribute to or lead written proposals for sponsors.
At the SES.3 level, independently conduct novel research, develop or adapt modeling methods and capabilities, and document findings in reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations.
At the SES.3 level, serve as a technical expert, guide team members, and contribute to technical strategy for atmospheric consequence assessment activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.