Physical Scientist EVU Regional Verification

Lynker Technologies

US-MD-College Park

Job :

Type:
Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

College Park, MD

Lynker, a Federal Government Contractor, is seeking talented Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification to join the Evaluation and Verification Unit (EVU) within the NOAA/NWS Office of Modeling and Development (OMD). Working in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment, this position will advance object-oriented verification techniques, support customized workflows for regional and convective-scale models, and evaluate next-generation AI-driven forecast systems. The scientist will serve as a key technical liaison for quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF) verification topics while contributing to the community-based METplus software framework and supporting operational model evaluation efforts.

Duties of the Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification will include the following:

• Object-Oriented & High-Resolution Model Verification: Investigate and apply object-oriented verification methods (e.g., METplus MODE) to evaluate high-resolution model performance and improve spatial skill assessment.
• Convective & Rapid-Refresh Workflow Development: Work closely with developers on systems like RRFS, REFS, and WoFS to create customized, automated verification workflows tailored specifically for model development purposes.
• Interagency & Operational Liaison: Act as a key technical liaison between the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) and EVU/OMD on National Blend of Models (NBM) and National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) verification topics, with a primary focus on quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF).
• AI & Next-Gen Model Evaluation: Develop advanced metrics and methods for high-resolution AI/ML model verification and evaluation (e.g., HRRRCast).
• Community Software & METplus
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Actively support and contribute innovative verification metrics, code enhancements, and graphics capabilities to the community-based METplus verification framework.
• Operational & Science Team Support: Support the team's Model Evaluation Group (MEG) efforts, interact with NWS/NCEP domain scientists, adhere to NOAA/NWS IT policies, and regularly present findings at technical and status meetings.

The Physical Scientist for EVU Regional Verification selected should have the following:

• An M.S. (or equivalent experience) in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, scientific programming, mathematics, or a related physical science with 7+ years of experience in numerical model analysis, evaluation, or verification.
• Demonstrated experience using object-oriented verification techniques (such as METplus MODE) and evaluating high-resolution numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.
• Extensive experience working with Python in a high-performance computing (HPC) UNIX environment to calculate verification metrics and generate custom visual plots.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Git Hub to manage software repositories, code versions, and collaborative projects.
• Proven experience working with common meteorological data formats (e.g., GRIB2, NetCDF, HDF, BUFR) and model verification software systems (specifically METplus).
• Strong team-player mindset with demonstrated skill in communicating technical results effectively across interagency teams, developers, and operational forecasters.
• Some knowledge of using web page technology and common languages (e.g., HTML, Java script) to display plots of verification data.
• Ability to analyze/plot and verify model output independently.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on complex problems.

• Experience developing…