How to Apply

Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all qualified individuals regardless of background and identity. To apply, please complete the application on the U-M Careers site. A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

We are seeking an Atmospheric Science Research Specialist to support CIGLR and NOAA GLERL's Great Lakes Earth-system modeling efforts. In this position, you will;

Analyze Great Lakes Evaporation Network (GLEN) data and conduct an intercomparison with fluxes produced from the operational forecast models.
Run and maintain a Great Lakes regional atmospheric climate model, validate regional atmospheric and hydrodynamic models with observed flux station data.
Test different methods of lake model coupling with the regional atmospheric model.

Specific examples of this work include preparing global climate model data for running the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model on high-performance computing (HPC) systems, providing post-processed atmospheric climate projections to CIGLR and GLERL Earth-system modeling teams, and evaluating vertical flux output from the Great Lakes Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) lake-ice model. In addition to data analysis and computing work, you will also be expected to attend collaborative meetings and provide progress updates, present results at scientific conferences (e.g., the American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting), and help prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact journals. You will be expected to work both as part of an interdisciplinary team and independently on individual job responsibilities and goals. In this position you will report to SEAS-CIGLR Assistant Research Scientist, Abby Hutson.

Term Limited Appointment: This is a 1 (one) year term limited appointment, with an opportunity for extension based on funding and performance.

Mission Statement

The School for Environment and Sustainability (https://seas.umich.edu) is a collaborative and interdisciplinary school. Our mission includes contributing to the protection of environmental resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. We accomplish this by generating and sharing knowledge, contributing to policy and engaging managers and stakeholders. The University of Michigan is a top-ranked public university with excellence in research and teaching. Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, is a town known for arts, culture, parks and restaurants.

SEAS is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable environment that respects diverse experiences, promotes generous listening and communications, and discourages and restoratively responds to acts of discrimination, harassment, or injustice. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is deeply rooted in our values for a sustainable and just society.

Who We Are

Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR), is part of the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. CIGLR is a collaboration between the University of Michigan and NOAA that brings together experts from academia and government research labs to address pressing problems facing the Great Lakes region.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Responsibilities*

Process and analyze observed atmospheric station data (GLEN, National Data Buoy Center, etc.) and compare it to gridded datasets (FVCOM, WRF, reanalysis, etc.) .
Under guidance of CIGLR and GLERL Atmospheric Research Scientists, prepare data files from the global climate model GFDL-CM4 (a CMIP6 ensemble member) and use them to run the Great Lakes WRF for historical, mid-century, and late-century time periods .
Work with CIGLR and GLERL hydrodynamic modelers to test different methods of coupling the Great Lakes FVCOM with the Great Lakes WRF.
Contribute to project reports and professional manuscripts by providing project analysis, results, and figures.

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred).
2+ years of professional experience in a field similar to meteorology, climate science, geosciences, or earth-system data science.
Experience working with both gridded and point station observed atmospheric data.
Familiarity with atmospheric numerical modeling.
Familiarity with data analysis and visualization in a scripting environment using Python, R, or similar software.
This position is open only to US Citizens or permanent residents due to federal security clearance required for access to NOAA GLERL facilities and resources.

Modes of Work

You will spend the majority of time at NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) in Ann Arbor. Our team offers flexible work styles, such as flexible hours and/or flexible workplace (with approved agreements in place), however this position is not eligible for fully remote work.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Salary and classification will be determined based on experience.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.