Senior Computational Scientist - Climate Modeling

Placements24; Upington; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package with perfom

Health benefits

Retirement savings

Generous paid time off

Hybrid role with remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Scientist for the Climate Science division in Upington, Northern Cape. This hybrid role combines remote work flexibility with essential on-site collaboration to develop and analyze large-scale climate models.

The ideal candidate has a PhD and proven HPC experience to advance climate projections and mitigation research. You will collaborate with researchers to publish results and contribute to grant proposals while mentoring junior scientists and

Qualifications

• PhD in Atmospheric Science, Climate Science, Environmental Science, Physics, Computer Science, or related quantitative field.
• At least 5 years post-PhD/research experience in climate modeling or computational environmental science.
• Proven expertise in running and interpreting outputs from climate models.
• Strong programming skills in Python, R, Fortran, or C/C++.
• Experience with HPC environments and job schedulers (Slurm, PBS).

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and run complex climate models, including Earth System Models (ESMs) and regional climate models.
• Analyze and interpret vast datasets from climate model simulations and observational data.
• Perform sensitivity analyses and uncertainty quantification for model outputs.
• Develop and implement advanced statistical and machine learning techniques for data analysis and model evaluation.
• Utilize high-performance computing (HPC) resources efficiently for large-scale simulations.
• Collaborate with climate scientists and researchers to integrate outputs into broader research projects.
• Contribute to the writing of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and grant proposals.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and to relevant stakeholders.
• Mentor junior scientists and assist in training new users of climate modeling software.

Skills

Python

R

Fortran

C/C++

Data analysis

Machine learning

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Atmospheric/Climate/Environmental Science

Tools

Slurm

PBS

ParaView

NCL

Matplotlib

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading environmental research institute committed to understanding and addressing the complexities of climate change. We are seeking a Senior Computational Scientist to join our Climate Science division. This hybrid role, based in Upington, Northern Cape, ZA, offers a unique blend of remote work flexibility and essential on-site collaboration. You will be instrumental in developing, running, and analyzing large-scale climate models, contributing to cutting-edge research on climate projections, impacts, and mitigation strategies. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in atmospheric science, environmental science, or a related field, combined with advanced computational skills and experience with high-performance computing (HPC). We are looking for an analytical and detail-oriented individual passionate about using computational tools to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges facing our planet. This position provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to impactful research and work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and run complex climate models, including Earth System Models (ESMs) and regional climate models.


• Analyze and interpret vast datasets from climate model simulations and observational data.


• Perform sensitivity analyses and uncertainty quantification for model outputs.


• Develop and implement advanced statistical and machine learning techniques for data analysis and model evaluation.


• Utilize high-performance computing (HPC) resources efficiently for large-scale simulations.


• Collaborate with climate scientists, oceanographers, and other researchers to integrate model outputs into broader research projects.


• Contribute to the writing of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and grant proposals.


• Present research findings at scientific conferences and to relevant stakeholders.


• Mentor junior scientists and assist in training new users of climate modeling software.

Requirements

• PhD in Atmospheric Science, Climate Science, Environmental Science, Physics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.


• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or relevant research experience in climate modeling or computational environmental science.


• Demonstrated expertise in running, analyzing, and understanding outputs from climate models.


• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, R, Fortran, or C/C++.


• Experience with scientific visualization tools (e.g., NCL, ParaView, Matplotlib).


• Proficiency in using high-performance computing (HPC) environments and associated job schedulers (e.g., Slurm, PBS).


• Solid understanding of atmospheric physics, thermodynamics, and climate dynamics.


• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information effectively.


• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a hybrid team.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance incentives and opportunities for research funding.


• Employees receive comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings plans, and generous paid time off.


• This hybrid role offers flexibility, balancing remote work with collaborative sessions at our Upington, Northern Cape, ZA research center.


• We are committed to professional development, providing access to training, workshops, and conference participation.


• Our client provides access to advanced computational facilities and a collaborative research environment.


• Join a leading institution dedicated to environmental research and contribute to critical scientific endeavors addressing climate change, while enjoying a dynamic and flexible career.