Research Physical Scientist

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Boulder (CO); Remote; USD 106,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking researchers to develop weather forecast models and data assimilation software for massively parallel systems across diverse environments, including on‑premises and cloud platforms. You will apply expertise in atmospheric processes and programming languages to advance earth system prediction.

The role emphasizes leadership in research, collaboration with national and international communities, and the communication of findings to

Qualifications

• Experience in developing weather forecast models and data assimilation workflows.
• Experience with parallel computing and heterogeneous environments for scientific software.
• Strong communication and ability to present research results to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop weather forecast model (dynamic core) and data assimilation software for massively parallel supercomputers across on-premises and cloud platforms.
• Lead theoretical and experimental research for advanced weather forecasting technologies across time and space scales.
• Apply programming skills in Python, Fortran, C and C++; explore GPUs and exascale architectures for model portability and performance.
• Present research findings at national or international conferences and workshops; participate in working groups.
• Formulate recommendations and provide technical advice to managers and stakeholders.

Skills

Python

Fortran

C

C++

Job description

• Hiring Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), with two vacancies in Silver Spring, MD; Boulder, CO; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; Ann Arbor, MI; Plainsboro NJ; or Norman, OK.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop weather forecast model (dynamic core) and data assimilation software code for massively parallel supercomputers across heterogeneous environments including on-premises and cloud platforms demonstrating expertise with code design and optimization for accuracy, performance and portability.
• Apply expert knowledge of atmospheric processes, data assimilation, atmospheric modeling, to lead theoretical and experimental research for advanced technologies in weather forecasting over a wide range of time and space scales.
• Apply computer programming and debugging expertise in several languages (i.e, Python, Fortran, C, C++) and use of innovation approaches to develop and produce forecast products.
• Use domain specific language including familiarity with novel computer architectures such as GPUs to further exascale needs of next generation earth system prediction models.
• Present research findings at national/and or international significant scientific conferences and workshops and participates in working groups.
• Formulate recommendations and provide advice to managers.
• Ability to communicate scientific and technical information verbally and in written form for stakeholders, members of the public and/or other individuals and groups.
• Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active.
• Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.

Requirements & Education

Substitution of education for specialized experience is not applicable to this vacancy. College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), name of accredited institution, course title, number of credit hours and grade earned.

You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty. Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: OPM Foreign Education Evaluation.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $106437 – $192694/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-04.

How many openings are available?

There are 2 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.