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CPAESS Postdoctoral Researcher

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Job Description

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the CPAESS Postdoctoral Researcher. This position will investigate the seasonal predictability of atmospheric rivers (ARs) and their associated extreme precipitation over the U.S., develop prototype seasonal prediction products, and work with a team to transition the seasonal AR forecast product into an operational forecast tool for the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC).

The Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) serves the Earth system science community in three distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff enabling a more robust workforce. Through our scientific programs we seek to edify new research with our postdoctoral programs, our visiting scientist and internship programs, along with our interagency support programs. We also help build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees.

Where You Will Work:
At UCAR, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.
The Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) serves the Earth system science community in three distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff enabling a more robust workforce. Through our scientific programs we seek to edify new research with our postdoctoral programs, our visiting scientist and internship programs, along with our interagency support programs. We also help build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees.

Program Location: Princeton, NJ

Job Location Type: In-Person

Position Type & Term: Full-Time, Two-year Term

Hiring Range: $66,000 - $77,857
*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.*

Application Notes:
  • Application Deadline: The position will be posted until filled.
  • Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):
    • Resume and Cover Letter - Your Cover Letter should address how your education and experience meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for this position.
  • An Inclusion statement may be required for applicants advancing to an in-person or video interview. When applicable, candidates will be notified with instructions.
    Learn more
    .
  • Work Authorization: UCAR/NCAR will not sponsor a work visa (e.g., J-1, H1-B, etc.) for this position. U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) is required for this position. Please see “Final Considerations” for more information at the bottom.
  • Relocation Assistance: Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT AT UCAR
The researcher will be part of a team of scientists and forecasters at the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) and CPC. Successful completion of the project includes the transition of the seasonal AR forecast guidance into an operational tool, writing one or more peer-reviewed journal articles, and presenting scientific findings at conferences or workshops.

Key Responsibilities
  • Implementing Seasonal Atmospheric River Forecast Guidance: The researcher will lead an effort to transition NMME-based seasonal atmospheric river forecast guidance into a tool for NOAA CPC and into publicly available web-based guidance. This effort will entail close collaboration between the GFDL team and CPC scientists. The forecast guidance will include probabilistic forecasts of AR activity and measures of forecast skill. The AR forecast guidance will become part of a suite of tools used by CPC to inform their seasonal climate outlooks, and the researcher will lead the evaluation of forecast performance of the AR guidance in a real-time forecast setting. Assuming satisfactory performance during a testing phase, the researcher will assist in the development of publicly available, web-based seasonal AR forecast products.
  • Exploration of Seasonal Atmospheric River Predictability: The researcher will investigate the predictability and prediction skill of seasonal atmospheric river forecasts and the associated extreme precipitation over the U.S. This research will entail the application of AR detection algorithms to observations and state-of-the-art dynamical forecast models contributing to the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME), the development of prototype seasonal forecast products, exploration of methods for optimally combining forecast models, and the evaluation of AR and extreme precipitation forecast skill in retrospective forecasts. The researcher will work closely with a team of scientists and forecasters at GFDL and CPC.
  • Community Engagement: The postdoc will provide expertise to the scientific and stakeholder communities by attending research workshops and conferences, giving presentations at conferences, seminars, and/or webinars, reviewing scientific manuscripts, and writing scientific journal articles.

WHO WE’D LOVE TO JOIN OUR TEAM
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education & Experience
  • A Ph.D. or equivalent experience in atmospheric sciences or a related field;
  • Demonstrated understanding of subseasonal-to-seasonal climate variability and predictability;
  • Research experience in a relevant field, with contributions to refereed journals.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Demonstrated knowledge of climate predictability and prediction.
  • Expertise in one or more computing languages (such as Python or Matlab) for statistical analysis, predictive model building, and graphical presentation.
  • Expertise working with large spatial climate and/or meteorological/weather data sets.
  • Strong skills in data analysis and statistical inference.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, especially for scientific publications and presentations.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Desired, but not required:
  • Familiarity specifically with atmospheric rivers, including algorithms for their detection, their variability, and their predictability on subseasonal-to-seasonal timescales.
  • Familiarity with the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s operational forecast products, including their applied verification metrics.
  • Expertise in developing and evaluating prediction models.
  • Expertise working with subseasonal-to-seasonal forecast data from dynamical forecast models.
  • Expertise with version control software (such as Git or Subversion).

SOME FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the
Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan
and our
Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace
site.
Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have the passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!
Benefits Overview (not including internship or casual roles) UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through
competitive benefits
. Beyond rich medical, dental, vision, life insurance offerings, employee assistance and back up dependent care UCAR offers:
  • Tuition Assistance and other professional development opportunities
  • Potential for flexible working hours
  • Starting minimum of 20 days of personal time off
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 10 days of sick leave every year
  • 14 weeks of paid parental leave
  • Company contributes 10% of gross pay into retirement; 100% fully vested on day one
  • EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system
Flexible Work
At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.
Employee Well-Being & Vaccines
In support of the health of our employees and their families, as well as visitors and the community, all UCAR employees are required to comply with UCAR’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, which requires staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject only to legally required accommodations implemented by HR, prior to their start date.

Equal Opportunity Employer
UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control
This position is subject to work location requirements for obtaining access to facilities and research systems. These requirements may include a combination of national security checks, credit checks, fingerprinting, or other security clearance requirements. This position is open to U.S. Citizens and Green Card holders.

Pre-employment screenings are conducted for selected candidates; background checks are also conducted for risk-based positions.
Learn more
.

Work Authorization: US Residency is a Requirement. You must reside in the U.S. for this position. UCAR/NCAR will not sponsor a work visa (e.g., J-1, H1-B, etc.) for this position. U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) is required for this position. Please see “Final Considerations” for more information at the bottom.

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer that strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce. UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy.
Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). We are committed to inclusivity and promoting an equitable environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all members of our organization.

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