Physical Scientist – HAFS Developer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Maryland.

📋 Description

• The Physical Scientist - HAFS Developer will execute job responsibilities in a high-quality, independent, and collaborative manner while aiding in project management and the development and application of innovative methods within the primary work domains.

• The selected candidate will collaborate with NOAA scientists and external partners to develop and assess the current and future operational hurricane forecasting systems, as well as to design, create, and evaluate HAFS ensemble analysis and forecasts for downstream applications.

• The candidate will utilize advanced UFS infrastructure and a multi-scale modeling framework to enhance hurricane-specific physics, data assimilation, dynamics, and high-resolution telescoping and moving nest techniques.

• Specific responsibilities will encompass at least two or more of the following areas:

• Implement and enhance hurricane-specific physics schemes within the UFS framework.

• Develop and refine inner-core storm initialization and data assimilation techniques for hurricane forecasting.

• Create and improve UFS-based dynamics and moving-nesting for high-resolution hurricane modeling.

• Develop and advance a UFS-based earth system (atmosphere, land, ocean, wave, storm surge, etc.) coupled modeling system for hurricane forecasting.

• Construct advanced scripts for flexible end-to-end system integration and automation, enabling additional functionalities.

• Design, set up, and conduct pre-implementation tests for experimental and operational hurricane model upgrades.

• Explore, develop, test, and evaluate the HAFS-based ensemble forecasting system.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Master’s Degree or higher in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, oceanography, mathematics, or a related physical science.

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in hurricane and tropical cyclone (TC) modeling.

• Advanced understanding of tropical meteorology and experience in developing hurricane numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems for operational use.

• Proficient knowledge and skills in modern programming languages and object-oriented languages, such as FORTRAN90 and Python.

• Familiarity with High-Performance Computing environments.

• Proficient in contemporary software development practices and version control software.

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with scientists from diverse backgrounds regarding technical aspects of the work plan, presenting results accurately and clearly in both oral and written formats.

• Capability to work independently on complex problems within a team-oriented and fast-paced environment, demonstrating organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to support team initiatives, show respect for team members, and strive for team consensus.

• Understanding of operational NWP and/or an operational forecasting environment.

• Experience with UFS applications and knowledge of earth system modeling.

• Experience in developing high-resolution models in various infrastructures (ESMF, FMS, CCPP, JEDI, etc.).

• Familiarity with advanced TC data assimilation systems and algorithms.

• Knowledge of hurricane model evaluation and verification.

• Understanding of agile software development practices.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost.

• Healthcare benefits include coverage for medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision.

• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays.

• Highly competitive compensation plan that is regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – fostering a sense of ownership among all employees!

• Flexible spending accounts.

• Employee assistance program (EAP).

• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

• Life and accident insurance.

• Tuition assistance, training, and workforce improvement reimbursement each year.

• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance.

• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses.

• Employee Referral Program.

• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace.

• Personalized career growth plans for each employee.