Department: UMD/ESSIC/CISESS
Starting Salary: Commensurate with experience
Closing Date: Open until filled
Duties:
We encourage applicants to apply for an open post-doctoral research position to support the development of sub-grid scale atmospheric physics parameterizations within the NOAA Unified Forecast System (UFS). This work will be performed at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate in College Park, MD, USA, under the guidance of scientists from the University of Maryland (UMD) and the NOAA National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Environmental Modeling Center (EMC).
The goals of this project include the following:
- Perform rigorous testing of experimental cloud microphysics, planetary boundary layer physics, and/or gravity-wave physics within the NOAA Unified Forecast System framework
- Examine the impact of parameterizations for modeling dominant modes in the upper atmosphere such as the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO), the Semiannual Oscillation (SAO), and Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSW)
- Expand on current stochastically perturbed parameterization tendencies (SPPT) and stochastic kinetic energy backscatter (SKEB) schemes to improve probabilistic representations of the atmosphere using ensembles
Scientific advancements achieved over the course of this work will directly benefit operational environmental predictions on time scales of hours to months.
Logistics
This is a 1-year postdoctoral research associate appointment, renewable for a second year. In addition to carrying out independent and collaborative research, the hired postdoc is expected to communicate major scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals, scientific meetings, and conferences.
Qualifications:
Minimum requirements
- A PhD degree in atmospheric or oceanic science, applied mathematics, physics, scientific computing / computational science, computer science, or a related discipline
- Expert knowledge of physics parameterizations for atmospheric models
- Experience running numerical models on high-performing computer (HPC) platforms using MPI, OpenMP, Slurm, LSF, etc.
- Experience with high-level object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Fortran, C++), at least one scripting language (e.g., Python, Shell), and at least one version control system (preferably Git).
- Well-developed skills in data processing and visualization
- An excellent record of disseminating scientific findings in peer-reviewed journals and professional meetings
Preferred credentials
- Experience developing sub-grid scale gravity-wave physics and/or cloud microphysics schemes
- Experience evaluating numerical models, data post-processing, and statistical analysis including accuracy and uncertainty quantification
Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or green card holder to qualify for application. Citizenship and timeline of availability must be indicated in the cover letter.
To Apply: Interested candidates should send a CV with a list of at least 3 professional references and a cover letter explaining how your qualifications meet the posted requirements to poterjoy@umd.edu.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER