DESCRIPTION

The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) is leading the development and implementation of new research and applications capabilities focused on extreme weather and climate events in the Western US. CW3E is developing and implementing weather and climate observations, numerical models and decision support tools focused on atmospheric and land-surface conditions related to extreme events and their impacts. The Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP) at Scripps Institution of Oceanography collaborates with the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) to develop revolutionary new Global Navigation Satellite System technology for atmospheric remote sensing and applying it to high priority weather forecasting and climate problems.

The Data Assimilation and Atmospheric Modeling Scientist will conduct synoptic and mesoscale numerical weather prediction experiments to develop techniques to exploit new remote sensing observations for forecast improvement. The research will focus on extreme precipitation events along the US West Coast and, in particular, landfalling atmospheric rivers. This position supports ongoing efforts to develop the use of state-of-the-art GNSS radio occultation observations for climate and atmospheric science research from airborne and spaceborne platforms.

Responsible for assisting in the development of data assimilation capabilities for the numerical weather prediction models at CW3E, utilizing strong programming skills and experience in computational and numerical methods. Implements methods for simulating remotely sensed observational data from 4D numerical model fields and designs forecast experiments using the new remote sensing data.

Uses community models such as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS), the Global Forecast System, and /or the Community Earth System Model to design and implement experiments. Employs Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration (JEDI) for assimilating observational data to improve forecasts of atmospheric rivers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough knowledge of research function. Expertise in numerical modeling of the atmosphere (e.g. Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS), Global Forecast System (GFS), Community Earth System Model (CESM) or other). Able to process and analyze multivariate NWP model outputs.

• Knowledge of how to evaluate numerical weather prediction model performance, for deterministic or probabilistic predictions.

• Thorough skills associated with statistical analysis and systems programming. Expertise in at least one of the following data assimilation systems: Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI), Weather Research and Forecasting variational data assimilation (WRFDA), Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART), Joint Effort for Data assimilation Integration (JEDI, which is a leading-edge data assimilation system and will be the major effort for the community to develop).

• Experience with at least one of the following models: Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS), Global Forecast System (GFS), Integrated Forecasting System (IFS), Community Earth System Model (CESM). Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP).

• Research skills at a level to evaluate alternate solutions and develop recommendations. Understanding of the research process and the scientific method. Research skills at a level to develop and evaluate alternate solutions and make recommendations. This includes proposing new analyses, use of new datasets, new conceptual ideas, or new workflow recommendations.

• Skills to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing. Skills in scientific graphical representation, scientific writing and experience presenting at scientific conferences (poster, and oral presentations).

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to work independently and within a team framework that includes external collaborators. Ability to work in conjunction with principles of community (https://ucsd.edu/about/principles.html) in all interactions with staff, faculty, researchers, and students, as well as with external collaborators and the public.

• Skills in project management. Skills in project management.