Coastal to Global Ocean Modeling Scientist – Los Alamos National Laboratory

Coastal to Global Ocean Modeling Scientist in E3SM

The Fluid Dynamics and Solid Mechanics group (T-3) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking qualified applicants in the area of coastal model development and analysis.  Candidates with experience in both unstructured coastal ocean modeling and Earth system modeling are especially encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will contribute heavily to development and use of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM), the DOE’s new earth system model, which is focused on addressing science questions relevant to DOE’s mission.  A particular focus of E3SM is fully coupled, global, high-resolution simulations of the Earth system relevant for studying energy and coastal impacts. Within this broader activity, Los Alamos National Laboratory is focused on the role of ocean-and-ice systems in the global climate and carbon cycle, the role of ocean-and-ice systems in sea-level rise, and the impacts of sea-level rise.The successful candidate will have a demonstrated track record of 1) peer-reviewed scientific publications and 2) algorithm and/or model development contributions that lead to scientific code releases for estuarine and/or coastal modeling.  Key project research areas include mixing and transport processes within estuarine areas, hurricane storm surge and its impacts (including coastal flooding and waves), sediment transport processes, coastal biogeochemical modeling, model verification and validation, and multiscale grid generation and algorithms.  Special consideration will be given to candidates with experience in these areas.  Additional experience with large-data, remote sensing, model coupling, data assimilation, and/or field and laboratory experience are also of additional benefit, but are not required for existing project work.

The candidate will be expected to perform outstanding research in the field of global to coastal ocean modeling within a vibrant community of scholars focused on studying the earth system, which requires an ability to work well together in large, multi-disciplinary, collaborative team environments. The individual will also contribute to broader T-3 goals to provide innovative and creative solutions needed to solve technical problems across the Laboratory’s missions, including energy security, stockpile stewardship, and global threat reduction.

The applicant will join the larger Climate, Ocean and Sea-ice Modeling (COSIM) research team, which is comprised of researchers across different disciplines who focus on solving critical climate science challenges needed to address DOE interests, notably via development and use of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM).  They will be part of the Fluid Dynamics and Solid Mechanics Group (T-3), which has a long history of foundational contributions in the fields of computational solid and fluid dynamics, with significant impact on the Nuclear Weapons Program, DOE, DOD and other federal programs, as well as industrial applications. Staff members in T-3 perform basic and applied research, with a focus on computational physics and the associated model and algorithm development activities required for modern multi-physics and multi-scale applications. The group’s capabilities include methods development for computational continuum dynamics, theoretical model development for materials and physical process modeling, methods and model development for climate modeling and simulation, and multi-physics modeling and simulation tool development. These capabilities serve a broad spectrum of applications areas and a wide variety of sponsors, including the DOE Office of Science, DOE Advanced Research Projects for Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, DoD, other federal agencies, and private industry.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Scientist 2

The successful candidate will:

  • Perform independent research in theoretical and computational modeling of atmospheric and climate processes.
  • Publish research in leading scientific journals.
  • Recruit and mentor students and postdocs.
  • Work in a team environment to solve problems in support of DOE Laboratory missions.
Additional Requirements for a Scientist 3In addition to the duties outlined above, the Scientist 3 will be required to:
  • Lead and guide inter-disciplinary teams, possibly encompassing both theorists and experimentalists, to develop new theoretical and computational tools for the modeling and simulation of the earth system.
  • Recruit and mentor junior staff.
  • Provide leadership in preparing proposals that guide future research directions of the group.

Desired Skills:

  • Experience with configuring and running earth system models.
  • Experience mentoring students or postdocs.
  • Experience developing and writing research grant proposals.
  • Willingness to expand into new fields.
  • Education: Ph.D. in mathematics, physics, engineering, or computer science.

Note to Applicants: In addition to submitting their CV, applicants are encouraged to include a cover letter describing their research interests and addressing the above requirements and qualifications.

Additional Details:

No Clearance:  Position does not require a security clearance.  Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Please refer to Laboratory policy P701 for applicant eligibility.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regards to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations.  The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful mountainous northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.  LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

Contact for More Information

Name: Phillip Wolfram, T-3

Email: pwolfram@lanl.gov

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