Hydrodynamic Modeler for Operational Forecast SystemsNOAA's Coast Survey Development Laboratory
First consideration will be given to applications received by 18 October 2013, but will remain open until filled.The UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs, in cooperation with NOAA National Ocean Service's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) is seeking applications for a visiting scientist position in hydrodynamic modeling. The successful applicant will participate as a project manager and team member in model-related projects that generate operational products in areas of navigational significance within estuarine and coastal waters and transition Operational Forecast Systems (OFS) to an operational computing infrastructure environment. The applicant will be responsible for monitoring and responding to operational model issues and the application and development of tools to evaluate model output using visualization techniques and statistical measures of quality. Responding to operational modeling issues will occasionally require working extended hours and being in "on call" status. In CO-OPS, the hydrodynamic models presently being supported include the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) for structured grids and the Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) for unstructured grids. A successful candidate will participate in transitioning new models into operations, communicate with users about OFS products, evaluate coastal ocean OFS output using automated skill assessment tools, troubleshoot issues related to model performance and operations, and operate and maintain existing operational models. The candidate will be part of a multi-disciplinary, multi-partner team. Work will be performed using PCs, Linux servers, and high performance computers. Results will be written up in technical publications and opportunities will be given to present at scientific meetings and workshops. A well-qualified applicant should have experience developing hydrodynamic model applications using ROMS or FVCOM for coastal regions with expertise in ecological and biological modeling. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in developing operational model-based products and demonstrated experience communicating with users and stakeholders about how OFS products meet their needs. Experience in numerical hydrodynamic water circulation modeling is required and extensive experience in evaluating the effects of the physical system (e.g. stratification; circulation) on the biochemical characteristics (e.g. dissolved oxygen; nutrients; algal blooms; etc.) is preferred. The applicant should also have experience in the use of a variety of existing programs and software, and will be required to develop new UNIX, Linux, FORTRAN, C, IDL, and/or MATLAB software to handle unique problems. A successful candidate will have strong written and oral communication skills, a solid background in how models work, and project management skills to oversee the delivery of new models into operations. Education Applicants should have a Master's degree in ocean science, earth science, biology, chemistry or a related field. The position will initially be a one-year appointment with the high probability of additional years of support. This position is located within the Oceanographic Division of CO-OPS in Silver Spring, Maryland. The selected candidate will be an employee of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and subject to and covered by UCAR policies with respect to all personnel matters. UCAR will provide a salary that is commensurate with education and experience. UCAR benefits include group health and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, mandatory participation in a retirement fund (TIAA/CREF), and life insurance. First consideration will be given to applications received before 18 October 2013, but will remain open until filled. Please see the VSP website for details and application instructions. www.vsp.ucar.edu/opportunities The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is an EO/AAE who values and encourages diversity in the workplace. |
