CPAESS Scientist III

Position Type

Full time, Term - 6 months or more (Fixed Term)

Yes

No

Princeton, New Jersey

$84,100 - $109,300 (Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.)

11:59pm MT on Friday, July 24.

Background Checks and Federal Screens are conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.

Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

• Application of machine‑learning based methods for data manipulation, including clustering methods for diverse regional and global data sources
• Application of Python, Fortran 90, and Matlab
• Configuration, simulation, and analysis of global Earth system models on High Performance Computing Systems
• Research leading to peer‑reviewed publication of comparison of observations and physical and biogeochemical models of fire and fire emissions

• Knowledge of land‑surface, fire, and vegetation modeling
• Demonstrated ability with analyzing and synthesizing high‑resolution remotely sensed data
• Demonstrated skill in modifying, running, and analyzing terrestrial components of GFDL Earth system models
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability of working in interdisciplinary teams

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the Scientist III role with the Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science (CPAESS) working with NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). This position is focused on modeling past and future global fire dynamics and associated emissions of carbon and aerosols in the GFDL Earth System Modeling framework. The project aims to improve understanding of physical, biological, and anthropogenic processes that lead to land surface states that increase or decrease wildfire potential and evaluate whether Earth system models can simulate fire‑weather conditions, fire events, and associated emissions.

The hindcasts and prediction of future fire precursors and characteristics are performed with the novel orography‑aware version of the GFDL land model LM4 and require the ability to design experiments, derive and prepare input files to characterize both land surface characteristics and ignition drivers, analyze model output, and communicate scientific findings at conferences and in peer‑reviewed publication.

Designs and executes scientific analyses; develops, and adapts, and/or tests hypotheses, models and/or tools. Contributes to papers, reports, technical documentation, data sets, findings, and/or proposals. Mentors less experienced colleagues, collaborates across disciplines, and supports proposal development to advance scientific goals through high‑quality, methodologically sound work. Engages in mission‑aligned activities both within the organization and throughout the broader scientific community. Contributes through a combination of scientific expertise, professional service, and education and outreach efforts.

• Designing and executing scientific investigations or analyses using established and/or emerging methods to address defined research, operational, or applied science questions.
• Developing or adapting tools, models, or methods to support data collection, processing, analysis, system evaluation, or experimental workflows.
• Performing detailed analysis and interpretation of observational, experimental, or model‑generated data, contributing to new insights or improvements in scientific understanding.
• Leading or contributing to components of a larger project or small project teams through coordination of activities, deliverables, and technical direction across collaborators.
• Authoring or co‑authoring peer‑reviewed publications, technical documentation, data sets, findings, project reports, and/or proposals, and presenting findings in internal, sponsor, or scientific community settings.
• Collaborating…