CPAESS Scientist V

position Type:

Term – 6 months or more (Fixed Term)

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Hiring Range:

111,790.00 USD – 145,350.00 USD

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 12:00am MST on:

2026-11-04
About the RoleUCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the CPAESS Scientist V working with NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). In this role, the incumbent will strengthen, modernize and manage ocean and biogeochemical modeling and prediction codes, configurations and workflows associated with NOAA’s Changing Ecosystems and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI) and National Ecosystem Assessment Program (NEAP).
This national program includes prediction systems for the Northwest Atlantic, Northeast Pacific, Arctic Ocean, Hawaiian Islands and Great Lakes. It is built upon GFDL’s Modular Ocean Model 6 (MOM6) ocean and Carbon, Ocean Biogeochemistry and Lower Trophics (COBALT) models and follows open-development paradigms to accelerate improvements. The NEAP/CEFI ocean modeling and prediction system generates regional retrospective simulations to understand past ecosystem variability, and seasonal to multi-decadal outlooks to help meet NOAA’s coastal resource mandates and broadly support coastal industries and communities.
CPAESS serves the Earth system science community in three distinct areas of service. CPAESS partners with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff, enabling a more robust workforce. Through scientific programs, CPAESS seeks to edify new research with postdoctoral programs, visiting scientist and internship programs, along with interagency support programs. CPAESS also helps build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees. Through Scientific Partnerships, CPAESS supports large-scale partnerships and initiatives in the Earth system science (ESS) community. Currently, there are about 100 scientists in a variety of federal agencies and laboratories across the U.S.
Job Description

Develops novel hypotheses, tools, instruments, models, methodologies, and/or frameworks. Integrates contributions across teams and disciplines, and advances scientific and/or technical understanding with tangible impact. Leads scientific teams or programs, defining strategic directions aligned with institutional and sponsor priorities. Mentors less experienced staff, drives program innovation, and represents the organization in high-level scientific, operational, and collaborative engagements across sectors. 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

• Leading, designing, and executing scientific and innovation initiatives, contributing to theoretical advancements, methodological developments, or practical applications within specialized or interdisciplinary domains.
• Developing and refining novel models, tools, instrumentation, or analytical approaches. Integrating insights from multiple disciplines to address uniquely complex scientific or operational questions.
• Directing project teams by managing scope, risks, resources, and coordination across contributors, sponsors, and partner organizations.
• Applying independent judgment and subject matter expertise to define objectives, prioritize activities, and identify high-impact opportunities for future research, innovation, or application.
• Engaging with senior leadership and sponsors to shape scientific strategies, align goals with broader priorities, and guide proposal development and program planning.
• Supporting the professional growth of less experienced scientists and technical staff, mentoring, fostering collaboration and team performance.
• Contributing actively to, leading, and/or co-leading papers, reports, technical documentation, data sets and findings, and proposals as appropriate.
• Disseminating significant outcomes through peer-reviewed publications, technical tools, invited talks, stakeholder briefings, and thought leadership that influence science and practice.
• Representing the organization in external engagements, participating in advisory roles, national panels, or collaborative initiatives with emerging influence at strategic levels.
• Leading development of complex products, tools, instruments and/or technologies for projects and programs.

Requirements
Education

Typically requires a minimum of a Bachelors of Science degree and 15 years related experience, or a Master’s degree and 11 years of experience, or a PhD in a scientific discipline and 7 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge

Has expert knowledge of scientific or technical theories, methods, and/or modeling techniques within a specialized field, along with broad understanding of related domains.

Skills and Abilities

• Is a skilled mentor and team builder, capable of supporting technical development, strong collaboration, and cross-project alignment.
• Has good communication skills to engage senior stakeholders, support program development, and translate scientific insights into real-world strategies or products.
• Is skilled in leadership, mentoring, and developing teams, with a focus on fostering collaborative and high-performing environments.
• Possesses excellent analytical and strategic planning capabilities to set priorities, navigate trade-offs, and define impactful scientific or technological directions.
• Demonstrates the ability to develop innovative hypotheses, methods, tools, models, or frameworks that address complex scientific, operational, or applied challenges.
• Has proven capability in delivering publications, presentations, or externally recognized outputs that reflect meaningful contributions to the field.
• Is recognized as an emerging leader in scientific communities through service, collaborative influence, or participation in national initiatives.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Skills & Experience

• Expert knowledge of code management, ocean and biogeochemical (BGC) modeling, and running ocean and BGC models on modern HPC architectures.
• Expert knowledge and application of GitHUB.
• Deep skill and expertise in model development and testing of the MOM6 and COBALT modeling operational systems.
• Demonstrable capacity to lead and work well within a development team, and be able to effectively handle code management execution and oversight across a project team.

Desired, but not required

• Demonstrated skill with the MOM6 ocean and COBALT biogeochemical models is highly desirable.

Role-Specific Responsibilities

• Consolidate and manage complex regional ocean and biogeochemical configurations (Northwest Atlantic, Northeast Pacific, Arctic, Great Lakes, Pacific Islands) in a unified modern GitHub repository.
• Strengthen, execute, and expand testing infrastructure (including Arctic, Great Lakes, and Pacific Islands test cases) and Pull Request (PR) management to accelerate prediction system advances.
• Unify retrospective and seasonal forecasting workflows, execution scripts, data ingestion, and scientific diagnostics across regions.
• Author technical documentation, task findings, and contribute to scientific reports and manuscripts.
• Serve as a key member of active MOM6 and COBALT development communities and report quarterly on code and configuration development and testing advances.
• Engage with senior scientists at GFDL and across NOAA Research to strengthen, manage and modernize the open-development modeling system that underpins CEFI/NEAP ocean predictions.
• Brief senior scientists at GFDL on development progress and submit quarterly reports on the progress of the development work.

Additional Information

Start Date: Candidates selected for hire must undergo a federal screening in addition to a standard background check (learn more). The start date will be confirmed upon successful completion of the federal screening.

Work Location Expectations: This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and hybrid (combination of 3 days in-person and 2 days of remote). UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories. UCAR Staff deployed to federal agencies must abide by their respective federal agency requirements concerning remote/flexible work arrangements.

Application RequirementsCover Letter, Questionnaire, Resume/CV

For full consideration, all application materials must be submitted by 12am (MST) at the start of the application deadline. These should highlight how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of this position. We recognize that no candidate will meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe your background has prepared you for success in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Supplemental questionnaires are often requested in lieu of a cover letter, where you address critical skills needed for the position. Your answers will be read and weighed equally to your resume and should provide specific, detailed, and informative responses based on your direct and previous work experiences.

Background checks and/or federal screenings are conducted for candidates selected for hire.

Benefits Overview

UCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan – UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
  • Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants are not required to provide age-related information (like date of birth or graduation dates) in initial submissions.

For sponsored positions: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

While UCAR does not prohibit the use of AI tools in job applications, we strongly recommend that applicants submit primarily original work.

All roles require compliance with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. All hybrid staff are expected to work on-site approximately 3 days per week.

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.