CPAESS Scientist V

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research•Princeton, NJ

5d•$111,790 - $145,350•Hybrid

About The Position

UCAR is hiring a CPAESS Scientist V to work with NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). The role will strengthen, modernize, and manage ocean and biogeochemical modeling and prediction codes, configurations, and workflows for NOAA’s Changing Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI) and National Ecosystem Assessment Program (NEAP). These programs cover regional prediction systems for the Northwest Atlantic, Northeast Pacific, Arctic Ocean, Hawaiian Islands, and Great Lakes. They use GFDL’s Modular Ocean Model 6 (MOM6) and Carbon, Ocean Biogeochemistry and Lower Trophics (COBALT) models and open-development approaches. The systems produce retrospective simulations and seasonal-to-multidecadal outlooks to support NOAA’s coastal resource mandates and coastal industries and communities. The Scientist V develops novel scientific and technical approaches, integrates work across teams and disciplines, and leads scientific teams or programs. The position provides strategic direction, mentors staff, advances program innovation, and represents the organization in scientific and collaborative engagements. It also contributes to scientific service, education, and outreach. The role will consolidate regional ocean and biogeochemical configurations in a modern GitHub repository; improve testing and pull-request processes; unify forecasting and retrospective workflows; and document and report development progress. The incumbent will collaborate with senior scientists at GFDL and across NOAA Research, contribute to the MOM6 and COBALT development communities, and help modernize the open-development system underpinning CEFI/NEAP ocean predictions. The position is a fixed-term role of six months or more. Work may be in person or hybrid, with hybrid staff expected to work onsite approximately three days per week. The position must be performed within the United States, excluding U.S. territories. The start date will be confirmed after successful federal screening and a standard background check.

Requirements

Typically requires a Bachelor of Science degree and at least 15 years of related experience, a master’s degree and at least 11 years of experience, a PhD in a scientific discipline and at least 7 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Expert knowledge of scientific or technical theories, methods, and/or modeling techniques in a specialized field, with broad understanding of related domains.
Ability to mentor and build teams, support technical development, promote collaboration, and align work across projects.
Strong communication skills for engaging senior stakeholders, supporting program development, and translating scientific insights into strategies or products.
Leadership, mentoring, and team-development skills that foster collaborative, high-performing environments.
Excellent analytical and strategic-planning capabilities, including setting priorities, navigating trade-offs, and defining impactful scientific or technological directions.
Ability to develop innovative hypotheses, methods, tools, models, or frameworks for complex scientific, operational, or applied challenges.
Demonstrated ability to deliver publications, presentations, or externally recognized outputs reflecting meaningful contributions to the field.
Recognition as an emerging leader in scientific communities through service, collaborative influence, or participation in national initiatives.
Ability to perform the mental and physical requirements of the position and project assignments, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Compliance with applicable safety policies and procedures; workplace safety training is mandatory, and personal protective equipment may be required depending on assignment.

Nice To Haves

Expert knowledge of code management, ocean and biogeochemical modeling, and running ocean and biogeochemical models on modern HPC architectures.
Expert knowledge and application of GitHub.
Deep skill and expertise in model development and testing for MOM6 and COBALT operational modeling systems.
Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively within a development team and manage code execution and oversight across a project team.
Demonstrated skill with the MOM6 ocean and COBALT biogeochemical models; highly desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead, design, and execute scientific and innovation initiatives, including theoretical advances, methodological developments, and practical applications.
Develop and refine models, tools, instrumentation, and analytical approaches.
Integrate insights across disciplines to address complex scientific and operational questions.
Direct project teams, managing scope, risks, resources, and coordination among contributors, sponsors, and partners.
Use independent judgment and subject-matter expertise to define objectives, prioritize work, and identify high-impact opportunities.
Engage senior leadership and sponsors to shape scientific strategies, align goals, and guide proposals and program planning.
Mentor less experienced scientists and technical staff, supporting professional growth, collaboration, and team performance.
Contribute to or lead papers, reports, technical documentation, datasets, findings, and proposals.
Disseminate results through publications, technical tools, invited talks, stakeholder briefings, and other thought leadership.
Represent the organization in external engagements, advisory roles, national panels, and collaborative initiatives.
Lead development of complex products, tools, instruments, and technologies for projects and programs.
Consolidate and manage regional ocean and biogeochemical configurations in a unified modern GitHub repository.
Strengthen, execute, and expand testing infrastructure, including Arctic, Great Lakes, and Pacific Islands test cases, and manage pull requests.
Unify retrospective and seasonal forecasting workflows, execution scripts, data ingestion, and scientific diagnostics across regions.
Author technical documentation and task findings, and contribute to scientific reports and manuscripts.
Participate in MOM6 and COBALT development communities and report quarterly on code, configuration, and testing progress.
Engage with senior scientists at GFDL and NOAA Research to strengthen, manage, and modernize the CEFI/NEAP modeling system.
Brief senior scientists at GFDL on development progress and submit quarterly progress reports.