[Met-jobs] PostDoc - UCAR Visiting Scientist program (USA)

[Roger Brugge <r.brugge@reading.ac.uk>]

Forwarded from CLIMLIST...



UCAR Visiting Scientist - Ensemble Prediction Techniques

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research is seeking a
postdoctoral level scientist to

work with a group of scientists in a team environment at the Hydrology
Laboratory of the NOAA/National Weather Service/Office of Hydrologic
Development. Located in Silver Spring, MD, HL
(http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hrl/) is a national center for hydrologic
sciences and operations support for NOAA/NWS hydrologic services. The
scientist will work as a member of the Hydrologic Ensemble Prediction
Group of the Hydrologic Science and Modeling Branch of HL in the areas
of hydrologic ensemble prediction and data assimilation. The group is
engaged in developing and infusing into operations innovative science
and modeling capabilities for reliable and skillful hydrologic ensemble
prediction across scale for water resources applications, water-related
hazard mitigation and other water-related environmental applications in
support of the NOAA/NWS mission and services.

Qualifications: Applicants should have a PhD in physical or natural
science, or engineering, with an emphasis in hydrology.

The specific areas of research and development priorities include, but
not limited to:

- Mathematical assimilation (including variational and ensemble) of
hydrologic (including streamflow, soil moisture and snow information)
and hydrometeorological (including precipitation, temperature and
evaporation) data (in-situ and remote sensing) into hydrologic and
hydraulics models (lumped and distributed)

- Identification, assessment, quantification and modeling of hydrologic
uncertainties (including parametric and structural) in hydrologic and
hydraulics models (lumped and distributed) and in sources (e.g. return
flow), sinks (e.g. consumptive use) and storages (e.g. reservoirs) that
are usually not accounted for by the above models

- Assimilation, via statistical post- or pre-processing, downscaling,
blending across-scale, multi-model ensemble, etc., of long-, medium- and
short-range predictions (both single-value and ensemble) of
hydrometeorological variables (including precipitation and temperature)
into hydrologic models

- Verification of probabilistic and single-value hydrologic and
hydrometeorological forecasts across scale

Hydrologic ensemble prediction and mathematical data assimilation (DA)
are relatively new areas in operational hydrology, and there are a
number of significant challenges in development and infusion of science
and technology solutions that are scientifically sound, operationally
viable and cost-effective. This position offers a rare opportunity for
creative thinkers to help innovate operational hydrologic forecasting
through ensemble prediction and DA. This position also offers numerous
opportunities to interact and develop collaborations with scientists in
the Hydrology, Hydrometeorology and Hydraulics Groups of HL,
collaborating universities, the River Forecast Centers (RFC), the
National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and NOAA laboratories.

The selected candidate will receive a fixed annual salary.  Benefits
include health and dental insurance, sick and annual leave, paid
holidays, mandatory participation in a retirement fund (TIAA/CREF), and
life insurance.  Some funds are provided for scientific travel and other
support costs.

The application review process will begin on 1 June 2006.  Applications
will be accepted until 15 July 2006.

To apply, send the following materials to: UCAR Visiting Scientist Programs:
- A cover letter identifying this position
- Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications, technical reports and
professional presentations
- Names and addresses of three professional references (applicants
should request letters be sent to UCAR/VSP as soon as possible)
- Ph.D. thesis title(s) and abstract(s)
- One to two page statement of experience and interests as related to
goals of this position

Send application materials to:

UCAR/Visiting Scientist Programs
P.O. Box 3000,
Boulder, CO  80307-3000 USA