Physical Scientist - High-Resolution Regional Modeling for Atmospheric Rivers

Axiom Consultants•College Park, MD

About The Position

Axiom is seeking a Physical Scientist to support the Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in developing high-resolution regional modeling applications within the Unified Forecast System (UFS). The work focuses on predicting atmospheric rivers and their impacts on the U.S. West Coast. The scientist will conduct experiments with atmospheric physical parameterizations, including the planetary boundary layer (PBL), cloud microphysics, and air-sea interactions, and evaluate results using verification tools such as MetPlus and in-situ observations such as Atmospheric River Reconnaissance Data. The UFS is a coupled Earth system model comprising atmosphere, land, ocean, ice, wave, and aerosol components, configured for operational and research applications across a variety of temporal and spatial scales. The position is in the EMC Physics and Dynamics Division at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction (NCWCP) in College Park, Maryland. Work is performed independently and collaboratively, using innovative methods in the role’s primary areas.

Requirements

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, including object-oriented languages such as Fortran and Python.
Proficiency with modern software development practices and 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 and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
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 must 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

Maintain and improve the accuracy and efficiency of planetary boundary layer (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.
Conduct scientific experiments with atmospheric physical parameterizations, including PBL, cloud microphysics, and air-sea interactions.
Evaluate modeling results using standard verification tools and in-situ observations.