Scientist IV - Applied Risk & Decision Psychologist)

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)•Boulder, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

NSF | NCAR/UCAR/UCP is excited to announce the job opening for a part-time, term position (0.4 FTE for < 6 months) for the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology (MMM) Scientist IV (Applied Risk & Decision Psychologist) role. This position will join the Weather Risk Analysis and Decision-making (WRAD) research group, which works to improve weather predictions and reduce weather-related negative impacts through research to understand and improve hazardous weather risk communication, risk perceptions, and decision-making. Responsibilities of this position include advanced quantitative analysis informed by risk concepts and theories of longitudinal and cross-sectional survey data.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of risk perception, including its conceptual history, meaning, and measurement, including its dimensions
Comprehensive knowledge of theoretically and empirically driven, quantitative analysis of drivers, outcomes, and moderators of risk perception
Experience with longitudinal panel survey designs and data analysis
Experience with analysis of public interpretations, perceptions, and responses to probabilistic forecast information
Comprehensive knowledge of statistical data analysis using R and/or SPSS
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a discipline-diverse research team.
Excellent time management and organization skills.
Strong written and oral communication skills, both within field of expertise and across disciplinary boundaries.
Typically requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and 10 years related experience, or a Master’s degree and 6 years of experience, or a PhD in a scientific discipline and 2 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Has advanced knowledge of scientific principles, methods, and observational and/or modelling techniques in a primary discipline, with a sound understanding of related fields.
Possesses good mentorship and interpersonal skills for supporting less experienced staff and fostering collaboration and scientific development.
Is skilled in developing or refining scientific models, algorithms, techniques, or tools, with attention to technical accuracy, usability, and applicability.
Possesses advanced skills in data analysis and synthesis, including statistical, computational, or simulation-based approaches using relevant tools or domain-specific platforms.
Is capable of making contributions to strategic planning and proposal development, aligning research efforts with organizational goals and sponsor needs.
Demonstrates the ability to lead components of scientific projects, manage deliverables, coordinate across collaborators, and contribute to successful outcomes.
Is an effective communicator, capable of producing peer-reviewed publications and sponsor reports, and presenting results to scientific and non-technical audiences.
Has a proven ability to design, execute, and interpret complex scientific investigations using both established and evolving methodologies.

Responsibilities

Conduct advanced statistical analysis with longitudinal panel survey data to develop understanding about the dynamics of public risk perception pertaining to hurricanes and atmospheric rivers. Analyses will include growth modeling of different risk perception variables, contemporaneous and time-lagged relationships between risk perception and antecedent and outcome variables, and differences in relationships based on population characteristics
Conduct advanced statistical analyses with cross-sectional survey data to develop understanding about public perceptions of evolving winter weather forecasts, including deterministic and probabilistic forecast information.
Advance empirical, theoretical, and methodological knowledge pertaining to risk perception
Engage with other researchers—including other social scientists, atmospheric scientists, data scientists, and others—including those who are internal and external to NCAR to integrate research perspectives, co-analyze data, and co-develop meaning about implications of results.
Write and contribute to scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and for presentations at meetings and conferences.
Help prepare and deliver summary reports or project progress reports as needed.
Disseminate information about the research and results to various audiences
Designs and executes scientific projects of significant complexity, advancing understanding in theoretical, observational, and/or applied domains.
Manages technical direction for projects, contributes findings in a variety of ways, and supports institutional and sponsor engagement.
Provides mentorship, enhances research quality, and plays a part in shaping team and program outcomes.
Engages in mission-aligned activities both within the organization and throughout the broader scientific community.
Contributes through a combination of scientific expertise, professional service, and education and outreach efforts.
Designing and executing complex scientific and/or technical investigations, to address complex, often interdisciplinary problems.
Developing or refining scientific models, algorithms, experimental methods, observational techniques, or analytical tools, applying advanced technical principles and incorporating recent developments in the field.
Leading or coordinating scientific components of projects or programs, including establishing goals, methodologies, timelines, and overseeing deliverables across internal and external collaborators.
Applying advanced data analysis and interpretation techniques, including statistical, computational, or simulation-based approaches to extract insights and validate results.
Contributing to and/or co-leading peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, data sets, findings, proposals, and documentation, and presenting findings at national and international conferences, workshops, and stakeholder briefings.
Supporting less experienced staff and team members by providing technical guidance, fostering scientific growth, and supporting collaborative working environments.
Contributing to scientific proposal development and strategic planning.
Engaging with internal and external stakeholders, translating complex scientific findings for diverse audiences and helping to shape project direction or programmatic priorities.
Leading development of products, tools, instruments and/or technologies for projects and programs.