CPAESS Scientist III

Visa Sponsored Job:

Yes

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Princeton, New Jersey

position Type:

Full time, Term – 6 months or more (Fixed Term)

$84,100 – $109,300

Background Checks and Federal Screens are 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.

Application Instructions & Materials (preferably uploaded in PDF format):

1.) Resume

2.) Cover Letter
In lieu of a traditional cover letter, we ask that you respond to the following prompts that address the critical skills needed for this position. Your answers will be read and weighed equally to your Resume/CV and should provide specific, detailed, and informative responses based on your direct and previous work experiences. Please keep responses to 1-3 paragraphs per prompt.

• Experience & Perspective
  Summarize your research or applied experience with fire-weather modeling, ignition drivers, or biogeochemical carbon/aerosol emissions from fire.

• Earth System Modeling & HPC
  Describe a scientific question you’ve addressed using Earth system models (e.g., GFDL, CESM) on HPC systems. Please explicitly note any experience with GFDL land model components or fire/vegetation modules.

• Data Analysis, Machine Learning, & Programming
  Give an example of how you used machine learning or clustering to analyze large, heterogeneous datasets. In your answer, please reference your proficiency in Python, Fortran 90, or MATLAB, and the impact of your analysis on scientific conclusions or model improvements.

Specific Duties for this Role:

• Application of machine-learning based methods for data manipulation, including clustering methods for from diverse regional and global data sources

• Application of Python, Fortran 90, and Matlab

• Configuration, simulation, and analysis of global Earth system models on High Performance Computing Systems

• Research leading to peer-reviewed publication of comparison of observations and physical and biogeochemical models of fire and fire emissions

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Specific for this Role:

• Knowledge of land-surface, fire, and vegetation modeling

• Demonstrated ability with analyzing and synthesizing high-resolution remotely sensed data

• Demonstrated skill in modifying, running, and analyzing terrestrial components of GFDL Earth system models

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrated ability of working in interdisciplinary teams

Job Description SummaryUCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Scientist III role with the Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) working with NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). This position is focused on modeling past and future global fire dynamics and associated emissions of carbon and aerosols in the GFDL Earth System Modeling framework. The project aims to improve understanding of physical, biological, and anthropogenic processes that lead to land surface states that increase or decrease wildfire potential and evaluate whether Earth system models can simulate fire-weather conditions, fire events, and associated emissions. The hindcasts and prediction of future fire precursors and characteristics are performed with the novel orography-aware version of the GFDL land model LM4 and require the ability to design experiments, derive and prepare input files to characterize both land surface characteristics and ignition drivers, analyze model output, and communicate scientific findings at conferences and in peer reviewed publication.
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.

Job Description

Designs and executes scientific analyses; develops, and adapts, and/or tests hypotheses, models and/or tools. Contributes to papers, reports, technical documentation, data sets, findings, and/or proposals. Mentors less experienced colleagues, collaborates across disciplines, and supports proposal development to advance scientific goals through high-quality, methodologically sound work. 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.

Responsibilities

• Designing and executing scientific investigations or analyses using established and/or emerging methods to address defined research, operational, or applied science questions.

• Developing or adapting tools, models, or methods to support data collection, processing, analysis, system evaluation, or experimental workflows.

• Performing detailed analysis and interpretation of observational, experimental, or model-generated data, contributing to new insights or improvements in scientific understanding.

• Leading or contributing to components of a larger project or small project teams through coordination of activities, deliverables, and technical direction across collaborators.

• Authoring or co-authoring peer-reviewed publications, technical documentation, data sets, findings, project reports, and/or proposals, and presenting findings in internal, sponsor, or scientific community settings.

• Collaborating across disciplines and institutions, contributing technical expertise to team-based projects and enhancing interdisciplinary research or operational outcomes.

• Supporting proposal development and project planning activities by contributing to scoping, technical writing, and alignment with programmatic objectives.

• Providing technical guidance to less experienced staff/students, mentoring on methods, tools, and best practices while engaging in and modeling inclusive team participation.

• Developing products, tools, instruments and/or technologies for projects and programs.

Requirements

Education

Typically requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and 8 years related experience, or a Master’s degree and 4 years related experience, or a PhD in a scientific discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge

• Has solid knowledge in a relevant scientific field, with an ability to apply theories, methods, or frameworks to complex or interdisciplinary problems.

• Is familiar with project planning and proposal development, including scoping technical work, aligning with program goals, and supporting deliverable management.

Skills and Abilities

• Is skilled in developing or refining scientific tools, workflows, or models, including quality assurance and integration with broader project efforts.

• Is skilled in using data analysis tools used for data preparation, visualization, or workflow automation.

• Is committed to mentoring with the ability to guide less experienced colleagues on methods, tools, and collaborative practices.

• Is capable of contributing to peer-reviewed publications, sponsor reports, or presentations, with clear and accurate scientific communication tailored to varied audiences.

• Collaborates effectively within multidisciplinary teams, integrating diverse inputs and fostering productive working relationships.

• Demonstrates the ability to design and carry out analyses or investigative tasks independently using established methods, adapting approaches as needed.

Work Environment

Work may be performed in a combination of office, laboratory, industrial, and research environments depending on project assignments. Office-based work typically involves maintaining concentration and focus on assigned tasks, extended periods of computer use, prolonged periods of sitting or standing, reviewing information on screens or documents, applying established protocols in a timely manner, communication with others regarding project assignments, and participating in meetings or collaborative activities.

This role and assigned projects may also include laboratory or field research activities that involve travel, work in variable environmental conditions such as weather and altitude (including extreme temperature changes, heat exposure, cold exposure, and other exposure to severe weather), and the use of specialized scientific instrumentation or equipment. Field assignments may occur in remote locations and may involve navigating uneven terrain, accessing elevated platforms, performing high-intensity manual tasks, or positioning oneself in constrictive spaces such as vehicles or aircraft.

Work may involve interaction with hazardous equipment and processes including electrical systems, heavy machinery, or chemicals that may lead to exposure to irritants or pollutants. Participation in workplace safety training is mandatory, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required depending on the assignment.

Staff assigned to this role are expected to follow all applicable safety policies and procedures and must not pose a threat to the safety or wellbeing of themselves or others. Employees must be able to perform all mental and physical requirements necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position and project assignments as outlined in the job description, which are considered essential functions of this position. All essential functions of the position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits Overview

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.

• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

• 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.

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

Some Final Considerations

At NSF NCARjobshiringnearme.org UCAR jobshiringnearme.org 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.

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 (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

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

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.

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.