Computational Atmospheric Scientist

National Laboratory of the Rockies • Boulder, CO

1d • $83,600 - $150,500 • Onsite

About The Position

The National Wind Technology Center at the NLR Flatiron’s Campus is seeking a qualified candidate with a strong background in atmospheric turbulence and high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics skills that can be deftly applied to wind energy, ocean energy, solar energy, and hybrid systems. We offer a unique collaborative environment with world-renowned scientists in the area of renewable energy and atmospheric science. The successful candidate is expected to conduct research on energy resources in the atmosphere, extreme weather events and their impact on infrastructure, and other related topics related to wind, water, solar, and hybrid energy systems. Candidates should demonstrate a broad understanding and wide application of atmospheric, fluid dynamic, and scientific computing principles, theories, and concepts. A general knowledge of wind and solar energy related disciplines and applications is an advantage. The Researcher will primarily use lab-developed software including ERF (an energy-focused implementation of WRF with modern computing) and kynema (formerly ExaWind). Simulations are likely to span regional-scale weather (mesoscale), the project-scale atmospheric-boundary-layer flow (microscale), infrastructure asset scale, and the coupling between all of them. Additional tools may include AI/ML surrogates and forecasting models, WRF, and data assimilation of remote measurements. The successful candidate will be able to execute research tasks independently but is also expected to collaborate well in larger project teams and follow the guidance of senior staff. The researcher will work collaboratively with the US Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Materials and Energy Innovation, other national laboratories, academia, industry partners, and the international community to solve challenging science and engineering problems in energy. The position requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the desire and ability to lead peer-reviewed journal publications from start to finish. Any code development in research projects will be done in the open-source domain with adherence to best practices in modern software engineering. Simulations will be performed on some of the world’s fastest GPU-accelerated supercomputers operated by the U.S. Department of Energy. Familiarity with high-performance computing environments to solve pressing science and engineering challenges is a plus.

Requirements

• Relevant PhD, or relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience, or relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience.
• Demonstrates broad understanding and wide application of engineering technical procedures, principles, theories and concepts in the field.
• General knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Demonstrates leadership in one or more areas of team, task or project lead responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in management of projects.
• Very good writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to publish results in high-impact technical journals and present work at conferences, symposia, and review meetings.
• Comfort in a Linux-based high-performance computing environment.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with NLR software listed above, or equivalent tools
• Familiarity with Linux, bash, and high-performance computing systems
• Familiarity with C++, Python, and build configuration tools like cmake and spack
• Demonstrated experience modern software engineering (e.g., version control, unit testing, continuous integration)
• Comfort with the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) to boost workflow and software development productivity
• Expertise in the theory and application of large-eddy simulation applied to the atmospheric boundary layer
• Expertise in atmospheric turbulence, and validation of numerical models against observations
• Established publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• A general knowledge of wind and solar energy related disciplines and applications is an advantage.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments to solve pressing science and engineering challenges is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on energy resources in the atmosphere, extreme weather events and their impact on infrastructure, and other related topics related to wind, water, solar, and hybrid energy systems.
• Execute research tasks independently but also collaborate well in larger project teams and follow the guidance of senior staff.
• Work collaboratively with the US Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Materials and Energy Innovation, other national laboratories, academia, industry partners, and the international community to solve challenging science and engineering problems in energy.
• Lead peer-reviewed journal publications from start to finish.
• Develop code in the open-source domain with adherence to best practices in modern software engineering.
• Support the development of new work proposals, preparations, and reviews.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Pension benefits
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
• Sick leave (where required by law)
• Performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component (may be eligible, but not guaranteed)
• Relocation expense reimbursement (some positions may be eligible)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level