Project Scientist: Tropical Weather Forecasting & AI

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 79,400 - 192,400; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley seeks a Project Scientist to conduct research in Atmospheric Science and to help create advanced forecasts of high-impact weather and climate phenomena for deployment at scale in tropical countries. The role includes managing project activities and contributing to grant proposals, under supervisors Profs.

Boos and Vargas Zeppetello. The research group focuses on large-scale atmospheric dynamics and the PLACE group studies water, energy, and carbon at Earth’s

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent international degree.
• Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Statistics, Environmental Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience handling and processing large-scale datasets (hundreds of terabytes and larger).
• Demonstrated record of productivity and publications and/or scholarly contributions.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a research team, manage active collaborations with other academic groups.
• Expertise in data infrastructure, data governance.
• Expertise in high performance computing environments.
• Experience with cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure, etc).
• Experience with state-of-the-art AI/ML methods in the atmospheric sciences.
• Experience mentoring more junior staff, such as students or BA/MA-level data scientists.
• Experience with scientific and/or governmental speaking engagements.
• Ability to effectively communicate, participate in efficient and open collaboration, and engage with a diverse group of researchers.
• (required at time of start): At least one year of postdoctoral research experience
• For consideration for the Associate Project Scientist rank: a minimum of 8 years of post-Ph.D. research experience in a relevant field or similar project.
• For consideration for the full Project Scientist rank: a minimum of 14 years of post-Ph.D. research experience in a relevant field or similar project.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel decision-oriented forecasting metrics, develop forecasting systems using AI, statistical, and physics-based methods, and evaluate forecast skill compared to novel baselines tailored for decision-makers.
• Work as a key member of a fast-paced, multi-institutional team to develop built-for-purpose regional forecasts to improve livelihoods of farmers in low- and middle-income countries.
• Build fundamental understanding of the forecasting potential for high-impact phenomena, such as extreme heat, using AI and statistical weather models.
• Collaborate with meteorological agencies in multiple countries to help build an operational system to provide actionable, real-time predictions to tens of millions of people throughout the tropics, leveraging last-mile delivery pipelines developed by non-governmental partner organizations.
• Disseminating research results through presentations and publications, and mentoring more junior project staff.
• Contribute to writing of grant proposals.

Skills

AI/ML in atm. sci.

Collaborative teamwork

Mentoring junior staff

Grant writing

Education

PhD or equivalent international degree

PhD in Atmospheric Science/Statistics/Environmental Science/Mathematics or related

Tools

Cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure)

High Performance Computing

Job description

University of California, Berkeley seeks a Project Scientist to conduct research in Atmospheric Science and to help create advanced forecasts of high-impact weather and climate phenomena for deployment at scale in tropical countries. The role includes managing project activities and contributing to grant proposals, under supervisors Profs.

Boos and Vargas Zeppetello. The research group focuses on large-scale atmospheric dynamics and the PLACE group studies water, energy, and carbon at Earth’s