Scientist-Research

Computational Physics Inc; Glen Ellyn (IL); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employee-owned company

Professional development support

Collaborative, science-driven culture

Job summary

Computational Physics, Inc. (CPI) is seeking a Full-Time Scientist-Research to support Navy weather prediction model development remotely at NRL. The role involves running models on HPCs, analyzing outputs, and driving code improvements through GitHub to meet quarterly and annual deliverables.

The candidate will work with a dispersed team, write/debug code (Fortran 2003+), and handle large atmospheric datasets (HDF5) while communicating progress in weekly meetings. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in atmospheric science or related discipline.
• Experience with MPI Fortran, C++, or Java; strong Python/IDL/MATLAB for analysis.
• Familiarity with physics-based atmospheric models and HPC debugging.
• Knowledge of upper-atmosphere dynamics (>80 km) and data formats like HDF5.
• Ability to work in distributed, interdisciplinary teams and communicate progress on GitHub.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run whole-atmosphere Navy weather models on HPCs.
• Analyze model outputs and propose code enhancements.
• Identify bugs, test fixes, and contribute new features via GitHub.
• Collaborate across a dispersed team to meet quarterly/annual deliverables.

Skills

MPI Fortran

C++

Python

IDL

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in atmospheric science or related

Tools

GitHub

HDF5

Job description

Computational Physics, Inc. (CPI) is looking for a Full-Time Scientist-Research to support our customers remotely at NRL.

Background

We seek an early-to-mid career scientist to join a team at CPI and NRL developing whole-atmosphere versions of Navy weather prediction models extending from the surface to 500 km altitude. The candidate will run these emerging new models on Navy high-performance computing centers (HPCs), will analyze the model output, and will use the resulting insights to target changes or additions to the collective code base that continuously improve the evolving model's skill, resiliency and efficiency. The candidate will work and collaborate across the broader team in continuous integration of new code into the head of the repository via an enterprise GitHub server, by identifying bugs in the code, devising, testing and submitting appropriate bug fixes, and by writing and testing new code that delivers new or improved model capabilities. In so doing, the candidate will work with the broader team in achieving timely quarterly and annual research deliverables for NRL and downstream sponsors.

Qualifications

• A Bachelors or higher degree in atmospheric science, computational fluid dynamics, physics, applied mathematics, meteorology, aeronomy, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated skill with high-level programming languages (e.g., MPI Fortran, C++, Java) and visualization/analysis software such as Python, IDL or MATLAB. Skills and experience with codes written in Fortran 2003 and higher in particular is most immediately applicable to this work.
• Knowledge of or interest in code development and scientific application of state-of-the-art physics-based atmospheric models, particularly those extending deep into the upper atmospheres, including a demonstrated interest and aptitude in running, debugging and augmenting such codes on multiprocessor HPC architectures.
• Scientific knowledge of the dynamics, physics and chemical processes occurring in the uppermost layers of the neutral atmosphere, particularly above 80 km altitude.
• An ability and willingness to work within a geographically dispersed multidisciplinary team environment in achieving collective goals and assigned milestones.
• Good writing and oral communication skills in regularly conveying research progress clearly to the broader team over GitHub and in regular weekly team meetings.
• Experience or interest in running multiprocessor code on massively parallel HPCs.
• Experience working with large atmospheric data sets generated by models (e.g., HDF5)

U.S. citizenship is required for DoD contracts.

About CPI

We love science! We study the physical properties of the Earth and our atmosphere, neighboring planets, and the sun. We make the study of science practical by translating our findings into products, both hardware and software, that make our customer's lives easier and better. CPI has served various U.S. Government agencies, universities, international science organizations, prime contractors, as well as commercial customers for 40 years.

CPI is an employee-owned company -- our team members receive company stock. Employee ownership motivates and empowers increased productivity, contribution to the longevity of the business, improved retention, and enhanced employee engagement.

Why Work for Us?

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits
• Positive, upbeat, and transparent company culture with opportunities for self-development and career advancement
• Employee-owned small business that allows team members to learn from each other and take ownership
• Professional development support including conference attendance and certification training

CPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.