Scientist V

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Position Type:

Job Location:Boulder, Colorado

Job Type:Hybrid, 3 days/week minimum requirement in Boulder office

Position Type & Term:Full-Time, Regular, Term (Duration: 3 years; Possibility of renewal based on performance and funding)

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59 PM MT on Sunday, February 15, 2025.

Required application materials: (preferably uploaded as a PDF):

• Resume/CV

• 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).

Visa Sponsorship: Available to eligible candidate

*Please note: UCAR can sponsor individuals for H-1B status only if they are already in the U.S. in H-1B status or another visa status that allows them to change to H-1B status within the U.S. UCAR is unable to sponsor new H-1B visas for individuals who are outside the U.S. and need to obtain H-1B status through Consular Processing.

Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more.
Work Location: Regardless of flexible work arrangements, UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

WHAT YOU WILL DO
This scientist will assist in leading the scientific development of NSF NCAR/MMM's Model for Prediction Across Scales - Atmosphere (MPAS-A), with an emphasis on the development of the MPAS-A dynamical core. The incumbent will have a lead role in coordinating MPAS-A development with the MMM laboratory, with other laboratories within NSF NCAR, and with our external national and international development partners.

The incumbent should have a background in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or applied mathematics related to CFD, along with skills related to CFD experience, such as programming languages used in models and analysis packages. This scientist should have experience with High-Performance Computing (HPC) platforms and experience with distributed memory parallel programming techniques, and is expected to be proficient in developing and debugging atmospheric models in HPC environments. The incumbent should
possess broad knowledge of numerical models used in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and climate applications.

In addition to MPAS-A development, this position will be responsible, with the rest of the MPAS-A team, for supporting MPAS-A to the community. This support includes taking a leading role in MPAS-A workshops and tutorials, supporting university partners in their MPAS-A applications and development, working with other US government laboratories (e.g., NOAA, DOD, DOE) and supporting their community development efforts and applications, and further developing and supporting our international collaborators in operational and
research weather prediction and climate projection applications. The incumbent will also have a major role in developing and coordinating MPAS-A community releases, including the production of documentation and communications associated with the releases.

Develops novel hypotheses, tools, instruments, models, methodologies, and/or frameworks. Integrates contributions across teams and disciplines, and advances scientific and/or technical understanding with tangible impact. Leads scientific teams or programs, defining strategic directions aligned with institutional and sponsor priorities. Mentors less experienced staff, drives program innovation, and represents the organization in high-level scientific, operational, and collaborative engagements across sectors. 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.

• Leading, designing, and executing scientific and innovation initiatives, contributing to theoretical advancements, methodological developments, or practical applications within specialized or interdisciplinary domains.

• Developing and refining novel models, tools, instrumentation, or analytical approaches. Integrating insights from multiple disciplines to address uniquely complex scientific or operational questions.

• Directing project teams by managing scope, risks, resources, and coordination across contributors, sponsors, and partner organizations.

• Applying independent judgment and subject matter expertise to define objectives, prioritize activities, and identify high-impact opportunities for future research, innovation, or application.

• Engaging with senior leadership and sponsors to shape scientific strategies, align goals with broader priorities, and guide proposal development and program planning.

• Supporting the professional growth of less experienced scientists and technical staff, mentoring, fostering collaboration and team performance.

• Contributing actively to, leading, and/or co-leading papers, reports, technical documentation, data sets and findings, and proposals as appropriate.

• Disseminating significant outcomes through peer-reviewed publications, technical tools, invited talks, stakeholder briefings, and thought leadership that influence science and practice.

• Representing the organization in external engagements, participating in advisory roles, national panels, or collaborative initiatives with emerging influence at strategic levels.

• Leading development of complex products, tools, instruments and/or technologies for projects and programs.

Typically requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree and 12 years related experience, or a Master's degree and 8 years of experience, or a PhD in a scientific discipline and 4 years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge

Has expert knowledge of scientific or technical theories, methods, and/or modeling techniques within a specialized field, along with broad understanding of related domains.

Skills and Abilities

• Is a skilled mentor and team builder, capable of supporting technical development, strong collaboration, and cross-project alignment.

• Has good communication skills to engage senior stakeholders, support program development, and translate scientific insights into real-world strategies or products.

• Is skilled in leadership, mentoring, and developing teams, with a focus on fostering collaborative and high-performing environments.

• Possesses excellent analytical and strategic planning capabilities to set priorities, navigate trade-offs, and define impactful scientific or technological directions.

• Demonstrates the ability to develop innovative hypotheses, methods, tools, models, or frameworks that address complex scientific, operational, or applied challenges.

• Has proven capability in delivering publications, presentations, or externally recognized outputs that reflect meaningful contributions to the field.

• Is recognized as an emerging leader in scientific communities through service, collaborative influence, or participation in national initiatives.

Specific to this particular Scientist V role:

• A general understanding of atmospheric model physics is desirable.

• Familiarity with approaches for utilizing graphical processing units (GPU) utilization and similar accelerators in atmospheric models is beneficial.

• Atmospheric models are evolving to incorporate machine learning (AI/ML) techniques, and an understanding of the current state of AI/ML approaches relative to current traditional atmospheric model capabilities is highly desirable.

• Science applications drive model development. Experience in using atmospheric models in science and /or operational applications is highly desirable.

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.

• 12 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.

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

At NSF NCAR| UCAR | 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 (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

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 and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing theway society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.