Earth System Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

6d • $81,480 - $110,808 • Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Earth System Sciences Department seeks a postdoctoral fellow to support two DOE-funded projects, HyperFORMANCE and CASCADE. HyperFORMANCE aims to improve access to and usability of hydrometeorological information for resource managers and flood planners. CASCADE investigates the nature and predictability of hydrometeorological extremes affecting water-energy systems. The two-year appointment, with potential extension or renewal, will be split equally between the projects and involve interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists, statisticians, social scientists, and stakeholders. The position uses DOE’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) and may address topics including recreating flood or extreme-heat event storylines and studying land-atmosphere interactions; subseasonal-to-seasonal predictability; perturbed parameter ensemble experiments on mountainous water-cycle physics; and weather-feature tracking for atmospheric rivers, extratropical cyclones, and related features. Opportunities to co-mentor students may be available.

The fellow will conduct model simulations on high-performance computing systems, analyze model outputs and datasets, and develop and apply computational, statistical, and data-analysis methods to investigate hydrometeorological extremes, water-cycle processes, and land-atmosphere interactions. The role includes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, presenting results at conferences, and communicating findings in peer-reviewed journals. Additional work may include co-producing science with resource managers or flood planners and applying AI or machine-learning techniques ethically to accelerate scientific workflows.

This is a full-time, two-year postdoctoral appointment, with renewal possible based on satisfactory performance, funding availability, and operational needs. Candidates must have less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience. Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. The position is union represented and subject to a background check. The monthly salary range is $6,790–$9,234, with the expected starting salary at $6,790 or above; compensation follows predetermined postdoctoral step rates based on completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Hydrologic Science, Earth System Science, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency working in a supercomputing environment, such as NERSC Perlmutter or NWSC Derecho.
• Demonstrated proficiency with programming languages such as Python, C++, and Bash/Shell scripting.
• Demonstrated research experience in mountainous water-cycle and land-atmosphere processes.
• Demonstrated ability to set up and run Earth system model simulations, such as E3SM and CESM.
• Excellent oral and written research communication skills for communicating with academic and non-academic audiences.
• Ability to manage time with short- and long-term personal and project research goals in mind.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, integrated team, respecting others’ research contributions and diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in mountain hydrometeorology is particularly encouraged.
• Understanding of subseasonal-to-seasonal or seasonal-to-decadal prediction literature and experimental setup.
• Working knowledge and application of weather-feature tracking algorithms, such as TempestExtremes.
• Ability to use advanced statistical analysis techniques and observations, observationally constrained gridded products, reanalysis datasets, and theory to validate Earth system model simulations.
• Potential opportunities to co-mentor students.

Responsibilities

• Run Earth system model simulations, such as E3SM, on high-performance computing systems.
• Analyze model outputs and datasets to investigate hydrometeorological extremes, water-cycle processes, and land-atmosphere interactions.
• Develop and apply computational, statistical, and data-analysis methods to evaluate model simulations and investigate Earth system processes.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams to advance project objectives and contribute to scientific findings.
• Present research results at national or international conferences.
• Communicate research results effectively in peer-reviewed journals.
• As needed, co-produce science with water-energy resource managers or flood planners.
• As needed, apply artificial intelligence or machine-learning techniques ethically to accelerate scientific workflows.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options available.
• 24 days of Personal Time Off per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays.
• Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs.
• Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association opportunities for social events, professional development, networking, and scientific exchange.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture supporting research career growth and belonging.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree