Job Description

Where You Will Work:

Located in Boulder, Colorado, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) serves and participates in a collaborative community of researchers and educators who are dedicated to understanding the atmosphere -- the air around us -- and the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core. UCAR manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) on behalf of the National Science Foundation and the university community.

Located in Boulder, Colorado, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is one of the world’s premier scientific institutions, with an internationally recognized staff and research program dedicated to advancing knowledge, providing community-based resources, and building human capacity in the atmospheric and related sciences. NCAR is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and various UCAR Cooperative Programs (UCP) – all in service of advancing knowledge, providing community-based resources, and building human capacity in atmospheric and related sciences.

Where You Will Work:

What You Will Do:

This is a position in the Terrestrial Sciences Section (TSS) in NCAR’s Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory (CGD) and will be filled at either the Project Scientist I or II level depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Working both independently and collaboratively, conducts research and model development to address scientific questions that are germane to understanding the role of vegetation demography in ecosystem functioning and interactions with climate and land use through energy, water, and biogeochemical cycling as well as impacts on forest sustainability and ecosystem services. Carries out research and model structural and parameterization development to support major demographic/ecological processes in global Earth system models (e.g., CESM) through the Community Terrestrial Systems Model (CTSM) and submodels therein (i.e., the Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator, FATES).  Contributes to the growing field of environmental and ecological prediction, including through efforts to constrain these predictions at ecologically-relevant spatial and temporal scales.  Participates in defining the ecosystem science and terrestrial modeling research directions of the CTSM project and of the Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory and across NCAR.  Communicates research results by publishing papers in scientific journals and by giving presentations at national and international meetings. Contributes to and strengthens partnerships in ecological research such as with the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), DOE and other national labs, and national and international university researchers. 

Expectations include implementation of advanced parameterizations and features for demographic/ecological processes in CTSM, support of the broader ecological modeling research community, participation in the publication of peer-reviewed papers, and presentation of research results at national and international meetings on a regular basis.

Although broad research priorities will be determined collaboratively with other staff working on the CTSM project, the person is expected to operate with a high degree of independence.

Responsibilities:                                                                                                                                         

Conducts high-quality, independent and collaborative research devoted to understanding and modeling key ecosystem demography processes and their influence on the Earth system through energy, water, and biogeochemical cycles.  Contributes scientific expertise in one or more specific fields of ecosystem demography research and prediction to further develop and apply Earth system models and its land ecosystem component model (CTSM, FATES).   Poses appropriate scientific questions about climate and ecosystem coupling, for example though impacts of ecosystem structure on boundary layer processes, and participates in the analysis of results of the coupled model.            

Leads (at PSII level) and conducts implementation of advanced parameterizations and features for demographic/ecological processes into CTSM/FATES in collaboration with internal and external scientists and software engineers.                                                           

Provides guidance and support for internal and external scientists interested in applying advanced demographic/ecological models in their research.                                    

Reviews research papers in-house and for professional journals.  Reviews proposals and may serve on professional committees. May interact with and help educate the public about research pertaining to the goals and objectives of the NCAR science program.      

Participates in defining the ecological research directions of the CTSM project and participates in proposal development to support these research directions.                                 

May serve or regularly serves (at PSII level) as co-PI on external or internal proposals.

PS2 Level: Supervises associate scientists, software engineers, student assistants, or post docs, as appropriate, in ways consistent with UCAR Policies and Procedures.    

What You Need:

Education and Years of Experience   

Ph.D. in earth system sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, mathematics, or other related sciences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PS2 Level: – PhD. plus at least 3 years of experience in the scientific field of specialization; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.    

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

PSI Level:

Demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality, independent and collaborative research in one or more of the areas indicated above.
Demonstrated ability to effectively convey research results through publications in scientific journals and through presentations at national and international meetings.
Comprehensive knowledge of land models of surface energy fluxes and the hydrologic cycle, biogeochemical models of carbon and nitrogen cycles, and dynamic global vegetation or ecosystem demography models of plant community organization and dynamics.
Demonstrated technical ability to work with and develop global scale ecosystem demography models and with complex geophysical models.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and knowledge of web-based communication.
Demonstrated experience in working with large scientific computer programs.
Demonstrated experience in developing complex Earth system models.

PSII Level:

In addition to the requirements outlined for the PSI Level above, qualifications required at the PS2 Level:

Recognition at US national level as a significant contributor in ecological model development and research.
Advanced project-management skills.  Ability to develop project goals and work independently to ensure timely completion of project requirements.
Demonstrated skill in directing the work of supporting scientists and software engineers and in leading teams of scientists to meet project objectives.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to proposal development.

Applicant Notes:

Please note that while the position description details both minimum requirements as well as desired skills and experience, we want to remind applicants that you do not need to have all the desired skills and experience to be considered for this role. If you have the passion for the work along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest.

A pre-employment screening is conducted in conjunction with an offer for employment. This screening may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: restricted parties screening, employment verification, performance records of internal candidates, education verification, reference checks, verification of professional licenses, certifications, and Motor Vehicle Records.  UCAR complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 

An Inclusion Statement will be required for all applicants advancing to an in-person interview. If requested, this statement should address past efforts, as well as future vision and plans to advocate for and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organization and/or field of work.
Applicant Requirements:  full CV, cover letter emphasizing relevant qualifications and research interests, contact information for 3 references.