Physical Scientist - High-Resolution Regional Modeling for Atmospheric Rivers

Axiom Consultants•College Park, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Axiom is seeking a Physical Scientist to support the Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). The role focuses on developing high-resolution regional modeling applications within the Unified Forecast System (UFS) to predict atmospheric rivers and their impacts on the U.S. West Coast. The scientist will conduct experiments involving atmospheric physical parameterizations, including the planetary boundary layer (PBL), cloud microphysics, and air-sea interactions, and evaluate results with standard verification tools such as MetPlus and in-situ observations such as Atmospheric River Reconnaissance Data. The UFS is a fully coupled Earth system model with atmosphere, land, ocean, ice, wave, and aerosol components, configured for operational and research applications across a range of temporal and spatial scales. The position is in the EMC Physics and Dynamics Division, with work located at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction (NCWCP) in College Park, Maryland. The candidate will work independently and collaboratively, applying innovative methods to the primary work areas. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or Green Card holders and must have lived in the United States for 3–5 years prior to application.

Requirements

A Master's degree or higher in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, geophysics, applied mathematics, or a related physical science field.
Advanced knowledge of physics parameterization for Earth system modeling applications.
Advanced skills and knowledge of modern programming languages and object-oriented languages, such as Fortran and Python.
Proficiency with modern software development practices, including GitHub/Git version control.
Experience working in a UNIX environment, familiarity with shell scripting languages, and experience running complex jobs.
Ability to work efficiently in a team environment and communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
Familiarity with scientific data formats such as NetCDF and GRIB2, and experience analyzing large scientific datasets.
Must be a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder and have lived in the United States for 3–5 years prior to application.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and/or applying Atmospheric Single Column Models (SCM).
Experience with operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) and/or an operational forecasting environment.
Experience testing and evaluating SCM and three-dimensional models using conventional and satellite observations.

Responsibilities

Conduct scientific experiments with atmospheric physical parameterizations, including the planetary boundary layer, cloud microphysics, and air-sea interactions.
Evaluate modeling results using standard verification tools such as MetPlus and in-situ observations such as Atmospheric River Reconnaissance Data.
Maintain and improve the accuracy and efficiency of PBL parameterizations for various UFS applications.
Improve physical parameterizations and Earth system model components in the UFS.
Collaborate with community developers to advance physics for weather and climate modeling across scales.
Perform work independently and collaboratively and communicate effectively in oral and written forms.