Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification

Lynker Technologies; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personalized career growth plans for 每

Job summary

Lynker Technologies seeks a Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification to join the NOAA/NWS Evaluation and Verification Unit in College Park, MD. Lead object-oriented verification efforts for regional models, develop automated workflows for RRFS/REFS/WoFS, and liaise on NBMs and NDFD verification topics, emphasizing QPF and AI/ML evaluation.

The role requires strong Python skills in an HPC UNIX environment, METplus expertise, and the ability to communicate results across interagency teams

Qualifications

• MS in atmospheric sciences or related field with 7+ years in numerical model analysis, evaluation, or verification.
• Experience with object-oriented verification techniques and evaluating high-resolution NWP models.
• Proficiency with Python in a HPC UNIX environment for metrics and plotting.
• GitHub experience for code repositories and collaboration.
• Familiarity with meteorological data formats (GRIB2/NetCDF/HDF/BUFR) and METplus.
• Strong communication across interagency teams and ability to present findings.
• Some knowledge of HTML/JavaScript for web plots.
• Ability to work independently and in teams on complex problems.

Responsibilities

• Object-oriented & high-resolution model verification using METplus MODE to assess spatial skill.
• Develop convective/ rapid-refresh workflows for RRFS, REFS, WoFS.
• Liaise between WPC and EVU/OMD on NBMs/NDFD verification topics (QPF).
• Develop metrics for AI/ML model verification (e.g., HRRRCast).
• Contribute METplus enhancements, metrics, and graphics to the community.
• Support MEG efforts and present findings at technical/status meetings.

Skills

Object-oriented verification

NWP evaluation

GitHub collaboration

Comm with stakeholders

HTML/JavaScript basics

Education

M.S. in atmospheric sciences

Tools

METplus

Python

GRIB2/NetCDF

HDF

GEMPAK/GrADS

UNIX/Linux HPC

Job description

Lynker Technologies

Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification

US-MD-College Park

Job ID: 2026-1703

Type: Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

College Park, MD

Overview

Lynker, a Federal Government Contractor, is seeking talented Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification to join the Evaluation and Verification Unit (EVU) within the NOAA/NWS Office of Modeling and Development (OMD). Working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment, this position will advance object-oriented verification techniques, support customized workflows for regional and convective-scale models, and evaluate next-generation AI-driven forecast systems. The scientist will serve as a key technical liaison for quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF) verification topics while contributing to the community-based METplus software framework and supporting operational model evaluation efforts.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification will include the following:

• Object-Oriented & High-Resolution Model Verification: Investigate and apply object-oriented verification methods (e.g., METplus MODE) to evaluate high-resolution model performance and improve spatial skill assessment.
• Convective & Rapid-Refresh Workflow Development: Work closely with developers on systems like RRFS, REFS, and WoFS to create customized, automated verification workflows tailored specifically for model development purposes.
• Interagency & Operational Liaison: Act as a key technical liaison between the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) and EVU/OMD on National Blend of Models (NBM) and National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) verification topics, with a primary focus on quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF).
• AI & Next-Gen Model Evaluation: Develop advanced metrics and methods for high-resolution AI/ML model verification and evaluation (e.g., HRRRCast).
• Community Software & METplus Collaboration: Actively support and contribute innovative verification metrics, code enhancements, and graphics capabilities to the community-based METplus verification framework.
• Operational & Science Team Support: Support the team's Model Evaluation Group (MEG) efforts, interact with NWS/NCEP domain scientists, adhere to NOAA/NWS IT policies, and regularly present findings at technical and status meetings.

Qualifications

The Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification selected should have the following:

• An M.S. (or equivalent experience) in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, scientific programming, mathematics, or a related physical science with 7+ years of experience in numerical model analysis, evaluation, or verification.
• Demonstrated experience using object-oriented verification techniques (such as METplus MODE) and evaluating high-resolution numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.
• Extensive experience working with Python in a high-performance computing (HPC) UNIX environment to calculate verification metrics and generate custom visual plots.
• Demonstrated proficiency using GitHub to manage software repositories, code versions, and collaborative projects.
• Proven experience working with common meteorological data formats (e.g., GRIB2, NetCDF, HDF, BUFR) and model verification software systems (specifically METplus).
• Strong team-player mindset with demonstrated skill in communicating technical results effectively across interagency teams, developers, and operational forecasters.
• Some knowledge of using web page technology and common languages (e.g., HTML, Javascript) to display plots of verification data.
• Ability to analyze/plot and verify model output independently.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on complex problems.

The Ideal Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification will have the following:

• Experience developing customized verification workflows or evaluation tools for convective-scale/rapid-refresh models and ensembles (e.g., RRFS, REFS, WoFS, or HRRR).
• Familiarity with evaluating AI/ML weather models (e.g., HRRRCast) or developing new metrics for machine learning forecast systems.
• Experience in precipitation verification topics (QPF) and working with operational datasets/systems like the National Blend of Models (NBM) or National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD).
• Knowledge of Fortran, web technologies (HTML, JavaScript) for web page plotting, or legacy display tools (GrADS, GEMPAK, MATLAB).
• Familiarity with National Weather Service operational centers, OMD workflows, or operational forecasting environments.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated skill in performing tasks requiring organization and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of statistical principles and strong analytical skills.
• A passion for the National Weather Service mission.

• Ability to accept assigned tasking, but also engage as a creative self-starter.
• Driven by curiosity and willing to try new techniques and learn new skills.
• Ability to remain flexible as projects and tasks evolve.

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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