Principal Environmental Scientist - Climate Modeling

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement planning

Generous paid leave

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Principal Environmental Scientist in Polokwane to lead climate modeling initiatives and develop predictive models for environmental sustainability. The role requires guiding research teams, leveraging large climate datasets, and communicating findings to stakeholders.

The candidate will advance climate science with a PhD and extensive modeling experience, collaborating with engineers and policymakers in a hybrid work setting at our Polokwane facility.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with substantial postdoc/research experience in climate modeling; strong publication record.
• Proven expertise in numerical climate modeling (WRF/CESM) and atmospheric dynamics.
• Experience with HPC environments and large datasets; proficient in Python, R, and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and validation of climate models and methodologies.
• Analyze large climate datasets (GCM outputs, observations) to identify trends.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and publish high-impact research.

Skills

Climate modeling

Python

R

Data analysis

Leadership

Project management

Communications

Education

PhD in Environmental Science/Atmospheric Science/Climatology

Tools

WRF

CESM

GIS

NCL

Fortran

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in scientific research and development, is seeking a highly motivated Principal Environmental Scientist with expertise in Climate Modeling to join their dynamic team in Polokwane. This senior role is crucial for advancing our understanding of climate change impacts and developing predictive models for environmental sustainability. You will lead critical research projects, analyze vast datasets, and contribute to the development of sophisticated climate models. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background in environmental science, atmospheric physics, or a related field, with extensive experience in climate modeling techniques and software. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of environmental research in Polokwane, Limpopo, and contribute to solutions for global environmental challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and validation of advanced climate and environmental models.
• Analyze large-scale climate datasets (e.g., GCM outputs, observational data) to identify trends and patterns.
• Develop methodologies for assessing climate change impacts on various ecosystems and sectors.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and policymakers.
• Author and co-author high-impact scientific publications and present research at international forums.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical expertise in climate modeling.
• Manage research projects, including budget oversight and timeline management.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in climate science, modeling techniques, and relevant software.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Climatology, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 9 years of post-doctoral and research experience focusing on climate modeling.
• Proven expertise in numerical climate modeling (e.g., WRF, CESM) and atmospheric dynamics.
• Strong skills in data analysis, statistical methods, and programming languages (e.g., Python, R, NCL, Fortran).
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments for model execution and data processing.
• Demonstrated ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and secure research grants.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research setting.
• Knowledge of GIS software and remote sensing data analysis is a plus.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement planning, and generous paid leave. Opportunities for professional growth, including attending leading scientific conferences and specialized training, are provided. Employees benefit from access to advanced modeling tools and significant computing resources at our Polokwane, Limpopo facility. This hybrid role offers flexibility, balancing collaborative work on-site with remote work options to promote a healthy work-life balance. We are dedicated to fostering an environment of scientific excellence and impactful research.