Job Description

Job Description Summary:

UCAR is excited to announce the job opening for the CPAESS Postdoctoral Researcher role working with NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). This postdoctoral researcher will investigate the relationship between the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and extreme sea level (ESL) events along the U.S. East Coast, with a focus on understanding the reversibility of changes in the ESL events and predicting the mean sea level/statistical characteristic of ESL events on multiyear to decadal time scales. The outcome of this project will be useful for the improvements of our understanding and predicting sea level on multiyear to decadal timescales.

CPAESS serves the Earth System Science community in three distinct areas of service. We partner with federal agencies and businesses to hire critical scientific staff enabling a more robust workforce. Through our scientific programs we seek to edify new research with our postdoctoral programs, our visiting scientist and internship programs, along with our interagency support programs. We also help build the Earth system science community by convening and managing summer schools and institutes, conferences, and advisory committees.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Job Location:

Princeton, New Jersey

Position Type & Term:

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

$62,285 - $77,857

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.*

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until filled with priority given to applications submitted by November 20. Applications submitted past this date may not be fully considered, depending on the quality and volume of applications received. 

Required application materials (preferably in PDF Format): 

• Resume

• Cover Letter - Please address how your skills and experience meet the needs of this position (for more information, please refer to the Key Responsibilities and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities sections of this job posting).

Federal screenings and background checks are conducted for candidates selected for hire and must be cleared prior to the start date. Learn more.

Work Location:  This position is open to candidates seeking in-person and/or hybrid (combination of in-person and remote) opportunities. Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

What You Will Do

Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.

Processing and analysis of observational datasets and climate model outputs: 

• Identify patterns and modes of AMOC variability on decadal to multidecadal time scales in the preindustrial control simulation and quantify their modulation effects on the mean dynamical sea level and statistical characteristics of ESL events along the U.S. East Coast.

• Investigate the reversibility of changes in ESL events as we decrease greenhouse gas emissions and other drivers. Revisit the AMOC changes in future climate and identify their roles in the mean sea level and statistical characteristics of ESL events responses.

• Investigate the potential multiyear to decadal predictability (or prediction skill) of mean sea level and statistical characteristics of ESL events using both diagnostic methods and prognostic decadal hindcasts/forecasts initialized from observations.

• Investigate the impacts of model resolution on the ESL events responses. Identify potential roles of major hurricane/storm activities (high atmosphere resolution model) in the ESL events responses. Identify potential mechanisms and processes of cross-shelf break connections (high ocean resolution model) between coastal sea level and AMOC. 

• Examine ESL case studies that may compound mean sea level changes, extreme weather events, local heat content, and SST changes in high-resolution models.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Provide expertise to the scientific and stakeholder communities by attending virtual and/or in-person research workshops and conferences.

• Give presentations at conferences, seminars, and/or webinars.

• Review scientific manuscripts, and write scientific journal articles. 

Who We'd Love To Join Our Team

Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:

Education and Experience

• A Ph.D. or equivalent experience in atmospheric/ocean sciences or a related field; 

• Demonstrated understanding of statistical analyses as applied to climate projections and observations; 

• Research experience in a relevant field, with contributions to refereed journals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Expertise working with large spatial climate and/or meteorological/ocean data sets. JOB IS FROM: postdocjobs.oneVIEW

• Expertise in one or more computing languages (such as Python or Matlab) for statistical analysis, consistent data processing, and graphical presentation.  

• Strong skills in data analysis and statistical inference. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. East Coast climate and 21st-century climate projections. 

• Strong written and oral communication skills, especially for scientific publications and presentations.  

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.  

Desired, but not required:

• Familiarity with sea level and AMOC characteristics and dynamics.  

• Familiarity with climate model simulations, including their netCDF format data files. 

• Familiarity with netCDF Climate and Forecast (CF) metadata conventions. 

• Expertise in extreme value analysis as applied to climate variables.  

• Expertise in writing modular analysis codes.  

Benefits Overview 

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance,  UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

• Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities

• UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one

• Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)

• 10 paid holidays

• 10 days of sick leave each year

• 14 weeks of paid parental leave

• Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary

• EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our organization is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome and supported. To learn more about these efforts, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and our Diversity & Inclusion: A Welcoming Workplace site. 

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they do not meet almost 100% of the desired skills and experience. Please note this is not necessary! If you meet the minimum requirements and have a passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest!

Some Final Considerations

At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science  problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid, fully-remote and/or flexible work schedules.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.