Support Scientist JEDI Data Assimilation Transition to Operations

Axiom Consultants; College Park (MD); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical/dental/life ins.

401(k) matching

Job summary

Axiom Consultants is seeking a scientist to support the National Weather Service's Office of Modeling and Development in atmospheric data assimilation for the Unified Forecast System. The role involves developing, testing, and transitioning JEDI-based components for operational NWP applications.

Hybrid work option; candidates will collaborate with OMD scientists and external partners to advance data assimilation for global NWP and related research activities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of data assimilation techniques (variational and ensemble methods).
• Understanding of the physical and mathematical basis of geophysical modeling and experience running advanced NWP models.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as object-oriented FORTRAN, Python, and/or C++.
• Experience working in a UNIX environment with advanced scripting languages.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder and reside in the U.S. for 3–5 years prior to application.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development, evaluation, testing, and transition of JEDI-based developments for replacement of current atmospheric assimilation infrastructure (GSI-based).
• Transition observation modeling, quality control and bias correction to JEDI.
• Develop and support atmospheric model interface within the JEDI infrastructure.
• Test and evaluate JEDI-based algorithm developments for use in operational NWP applications.
• Assist in coordination of JEDI-related development activities from other OMD developers.
• Utilize JEDI infrastructure to explore data assimilation research activities relevant to global NWP.

Skills

Data assimilation techniques

Geophysical modeling knowledge

Programming (FORTRAN, Python, C++)

UNIX and scripting

English communication

U.S. citizenship or permanent resident

Job description

Overview

Axiom is looking for a candidate to support the Office of Modeling and Development (OMD) of the National Weather Service (NWS) in carrying out research, development, and operational transition work related to atmospheric data assimilation for operational applications of the Unified Forecast System (UFS). The candidate's work will involve the development, execution, testing, and evaluation of several components of the atmospheric data assimilation system in the context of numerical weather prediction. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in Satellite Radiance Data Assimilation.THIS IS A HYBRID ROLE.

Responsibilities

The candidate will perform the job duties in a collaborative environment, assisting developing and applying innovative methods for the primary work areas described below. The candidate will work with OMD scientists and external collaborators to develop and test atmospheric data assimilation components for use in the UFS. In particular, the candidate will focus on the evaluation of the components of the Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration (JEDI) project for use in global numerical weather prediction applications at NCEP

The successful candidate will work in the following areas:

• Assist in development, evaluation, testing, and transition of JEDI-based developments for replacement of current atmospheric assimilation infrastructure (GSI-based).
• Transition observation modeling, quality control and bias correction to JEDI.
• Develop and support atmospheric model interface within the JEDI infrastructure.
• Test and evaluate JEDI-based algorithm developments for use in operational NWP applications.
• Assist in coordination of JEDI-related development activities from other OMD developers.
• Utilize JEDI infrastructure to explore data assimilation research activities relevant to

Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:
Required:

• Knowledge of data assimilation techniques (variational-based and/or ensemble methods).
• Knowledge of the physical and mathematical basis of geophysical modeling (atmospheric and/or environmental) and experience running advanced numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.
• Knowledge and experience of modern programming languages such as object-oriented FORTRAN, Python, and/or C++.
• Experience working in a UNIX environment with advanced scripting languages
• Good oral and written communication skills in English.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder to and must live in US for 3-5 years prior to application

Desired

• Advanced knowledge of satellite radiance data assimilation.
• Knowledge of radiative transfer and experience with radiative transfer modeling for data assimilation, such as the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) or Radiative Transfer for TOVS (RTTOV).
• Experience in running numerical models on High Performing Computer (HPC) platforms using MPI, OpenMP, Slurm, LSF, etc.
• Experience with coupled earth system models.
• Knowledge of modern software engineering practices (requirements gathering, design, prototyping, version control, integration, testing, and documentation).
• Experience in model testing and evaluation and/or knowledge of verification principles.
• Experience in model development in various infrastructures like the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF) and NOAA Environmental Modeling System (NEMS)

Axiom offers competitive compensation packages including comprehensive medical/dental/life insurance and matching 401(k) contribution.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)