NCAR’s Climate and Global Dynamics (CGD) Laboratory is excited to announce the job opening for the Hydrology/Land Modeling Postdoc. This position will perform research advancing our ability to develop and implement hydrologic and land models that can reduce uncertainties in future climate change scenario projections for hydrology and water resources. The research will involve model development, implementation, and analysis, and running modeling experiments in uncertainty-aware (ensemble) frameworks for both seasonal prediction and century-scale time frames using high performance computing. One key focus will be implementing, evaluating, and upgrading land/hydrology models on watershed to continental scales for sub-seasonal to seasonal predictability, and running hindcast experiments that include data assimilation and S2S climate forecast application. A secondary focus is evaluating the climate sensitivity of hydrology and land models to identify and create reliable and robust configurations for assessing future hydrologic change for different water management objectives.
The position is within the Terrestrial Science Section of the NCAR Climate and Global Dynamics division at the Mesa Laboratory in Boulder, CO, USA. It will also involve collaboration with external researchers and agencies. The position is for two years, with the second-year conditional on first year performance. More information about CGD can be found at https://www.cgd.ucar.edu/.
Where You Will Work:
At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, 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.
CGD’s Vision:
To be a world leader in Earth System science and provide tools for understanding climate variability & change and addressing the risks of climate change in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
CGD’s Mission:
- Developing, using and supporting world-leading community models and simulations for Earth system science, including predictability and other societally important applications
- Co-designing Earth system research across NCAR, universities, and stakeholders throughout the world; leveraging our strengths; and fostering the next generation of Earth system scientists
- Providing trusted, innovative data analysis, tools and methods to enable new scientific discoveries
- Building and upholding a diverse community where all are equally valued, included, and respected; recognizing everyone’s essential role in advancing our scientific vision
Job Location: Boulder, CO
Job Type: In-Person, Hybrid (a combination of Remote and Onsite presence)
Position Type & Term: 2-year Term
Hiring Range: Annual Salary Range: $73,000
*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.*
Application Notes:
- Application Deadline: This position will be posted until filled with priority given to applications submitted by June 30, 2023.
- Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format):
- Resume
- Ex: Cover Letter – Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).
- Three Professional References with contact information (e-mail & phone)
- Work Authorization:
- UCAR/NCAR will sponsor a work visa to fill this position.
- U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or another protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) to fill this position.
- Relocation Assistance: No
- Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.
- Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT AT UCAR
Here is a brief outline of what one would expect to be responsible for in this role.
Key Responsibilities
- Implementing land/hydrology models in different configurations and assessing the climate sensitivities and predictability of hydrologic and land model processes for specific water applications using historical and future climate scenarios;
- Preparation of observational datasets and analysis of large-sample and/or large-domain ensemble model simulation datasets;
- Development and assessment of strategies for generating S2S climate predictions for use in hydrological models; and
- Communicating research results to stakeholders, sponsors and the community, publication in peer-reviewed journals, meeting proceedings, and presentations at scientific meetings. Assisting in the preparation of project reports.
WHO WE’D LOVE TO JOIN OUR TEAM
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education & Experience REQUIRED:
- Ph.D. degree (obtained or imminent) in hydrological, atmospheric, meteorological or related sciences, with physical modeling experience, and
- Demonstrated record of high-quality research and publication.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- In-depth expertise in hydrologic or land modeling from watershed scales to large domains, including model parameter estimation and performance evaluation.
- Knowledge of historical and future climate datasets and hydrologic sensitivity, variability and trend analysis
- Skill in developing, implementing and analyzing hydrologic and land surface simulations using complex models and observational datasets.
- Ability to conduct graphical and statistical analyses of multi-dimensional datasets (time, space, variable, ensemble).
- Ability to establish and maintain a nationally recognized publication record.
- Ability to participate in and interact productively with hydroclimate researchers and related earth system scientists.
- Understanding of S2S climate forecasting, associated datasets and approaches.
- Strong skills in written and oral communication of research results, including in an interdisciplinary context.
Desired:
- Desired technical/computational skills:
- Strong competence with data, program and file management and scripting (eg bash, csh) in UNIX
- Competence with analysis and scripting in Python (and familiarity with R is a plus)
- Competence in reading and modifying FORTRAN, diagnosing models at the code level
- Demonstrated skill in working with large and heterogeneous datasets and model simulations
- Familiarity with GIS or GIS-equivalent (e.g., GDAL/OGR)
- Familiarity with code sharing environments such as Github.
- Experience in super-computing environments (e.g., computing clusters).
- Familiarity with common approaches for hydrology in machine learning.
INCLUSIVE BENEFITS
UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:
- Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities.
- UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one.
- Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions).
- 10 paid holidays each year.
- 10 days of paid sick leave each year.
- 14 weeks of paid parental leave.
- Backup childcare.
- Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary.
- EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost.
- Flexible Work Arrangement (role dependent).
- International remote work could be available for a max of 20 days per calendar year with supervisor approval.
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 a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!
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.
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.
Compensation Factors
Final salary offer will be based on any combination of the following factors, including: a candidate’s education, training, and experience relevant to the role, anticipated quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment. A candidate’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.
Export Control
This position is subject to work location requirements for obtaining access to facilities and research systems. These requirements may include pre-employment background and national security checks. This position is open to U.S. Citizens, U.S. Green Card holders, and those eligible to obtain a U.S. Work Visa subject to U.S. export requirements.
Visa Wait Times
Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.
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.
