Salary/Position Classification

• $55,000 Annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: No
• Hybrid Work Availability: No

Purpose of Position

To work with Dr. Dave Delene, and his collaborators, on processing and analysis of atmospheric data observed via research aircraft; to assist in the development of software packages for the processing of this data; and to develop and submit project reports, conference presentations, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, and research proposals. 

The position functions within the department under the supervision and in conjunction with other researchers to move forward collaborative research and educational efforts.

Duties & Responsibilities

• The processing, analysis, and publication of atmospheric data previously observed with research aircraft:
  • Process aircraft data from the Saudi and IMPACTS field projects (background info described below).
  • Submit datasets to sponsors.
  • Analyze the processed aircraft data and work on one conference presentation.
  • Develop/write and submit one peer-reviewed paper.
  • Saudi Field Project: The University of North Dakota is supporting the Saudi Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Enhancement Campaign (SARPEC) series of field projects, which aims to determine the effectiveness of operational cloud seeding techniques for rainfall augmentation within the arid climates of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first SARPEC intensive operational period (IOP) occurred in the late summer of 2023 coincident with the seasonal monsoon of the Asir mountains/escarpment of south-west Saudi Arabia. In-situ measurements of cloud microphysics properties are obtained using the North Dakota Citation Research Aircraft, which deployed cloud probes and airborne wind measurements systems. Twelve research flights were conducted during the summer of 2023, which include five cloud physics missions. Cloud penetrations were conducted at various levels (-10 °C, -15 °C, -20 °C) above cloud base to determine how liquid water content properties vary with vertical development and to observe the effects of ice crystal aggregation processes. A second SARPEC IOP was conducted in October/November of 2023, with 21 flights completed. A third SARPEC IOP was conducted from March 16 to April 26, 2024 (Extension I). Analysis data from the SARPEC IOP are presented at national and international conference. Initially three peer-reviewed Journal Articles are planned; 1.) Saudi Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Enhancement Campaign (SARPeC) - Motivation, Science and Operations: Successful Dual Aircraft Convective Cloud Penetrations, 2.) Observations of Wind Flow Related to Thunderstorm Genesis Along the Red Sea Escarpment of Saudi Arabia 3.) Cloud Observations and Processes in Saudi Arabia Convective Clouds.
  • IMPACTS Field Project: Winter snowstorms on the eastern seaboard cause major disruptions to transportation, commerce, and public safety. Snowfall is frequently organized in banded structures in winter stormed, which is poorly understood and predicted by models. The ability of remote sensing technologies and numerical weather prediction models have advanced significantly which enables obtaining observations that identify key processes and improves remote sensing methods and weather forecasting. The University of North Dakota is responsible for the acquisition and processing of data from the cloud microphysics probes (Cloud Droplete Probe, King Probe, Water Content Measurement Probe, Rosemount Icing Probes, 2D-S Probes, HVPS3 Probes, and Hawkeye probe), which are mounted on the NASA P-3 aircraft. The integration of these probes required technical work for establishing power and data connections, mounting of the probes on the under-wing pylons, buildup of the cabin instrument racks, and verifying operation of all instruments. Software is used to ensure proper instrument function once installed and to handle the P-3 data streams. The UND team operated the probes during the IMPACTS field campaigns, which includes cleaning, maintenance, conducting quality control checks, and troubleshooting the instruments. UND is responsible for delivering Level 2 data products to the project archive and conducts analysis of the cloud probe data in collaboration with other IMPACTS investigators. UND graduate students, Christian Nairy and Jennifer Moore, operated the cloud probes on the NASA P-3 research aircraft throughout the two month long, 2023 IMPACTS field project. 
• Develop white papers and submit research proposals:
  • Write White Papers for 2 - 4 of the project’s ideas (see below) involving atmos. research using airborne measurements.
  • Develop and independently submit at least 1 proposal per year on the white paper topics.
  • Submit the proposal(s) to a major funding agency such as NOAA, NSF, or DOE.
  • Specific project ideas include:
    • Data Processing of Aircraft Cloud Probe Observations: A similar proposal idea was submitted to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solicitation, NNH22ZDA001N-TOPST:F.14 Transform to Open Science Training, on December 8, 2022 and declined on March 13, 2023. A revised proposal will focus on testing and developing software related to cloud imaging probes. There are several packages that process cloud imaging probe data that UND has used, which have been discussed at international cloud workshop every 2-4 years going back to 2014. The software packages produce results with order of magnitude differences that affect important science questions. Community workshops have made limited progress on addressing the issues. Addressing the software limitations will have a broad impact because all cloud observational, aircraft-based field projects for the last 50 years have used such probes. Such field projects observations are used for understanding and developing remote sensing retrieval methodologies. Additionally, model parametrization is based on such observations; therefore, all cloud physics is impacted by this software. Hence, improvements in the software affects all of cloud physics, which is very important for weather forecasting and climate change research.
    • Aircraft Observations of Seasonal Changes in Mid-latitude Cirrus: The Department of Atmospheric Sciences works closely with Weather Modification International, who own and operates the North Dakota Citation Research Aircraft. The project utilizes the unique capabilities of the Citation Research Aircraft to study the change of mid-latitude cirrus cloud properties over an entire year. The project builds on previous work during the CAPE2015 and CapeEx19 field projects in Florida. Additionally, conducting measurements once per month for over a year to obtain samples is something that cannot be done with traditional government-owned research aircraft; however, would be possible with the Citation Research Aircraft based out of the Fargo Airport.
    • Chain Aggregation Formation: Temperatures and Electric Fields: The project builds on experience using the Michigan Technological University Pi Cloud Chamber to investigate the temperatures and electric field strengths on chain aggregation. The Navy sponsored CapeEx19 and the NASA sponsored IMPACTS field projects provided observations of chain aggregates in different environments. These research projects are looking at the formation processes that result in chain aggregates; however, additional laboratory work related to temperature and electric field impacts on aggregation is needed since similar projects date back to the 1970s and do not provide the necessary constraints on the processes involved.
    • North Dakota Convective Cloud TRACER Experimental: This project would build on the declined proposals to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rain Enhancement Program. The proposal will be revised to be conducted in North Dakota and focus on fundamental scientific understanding of cloud processes, which is of interest to the National Science Foundation (NSF) but not the UAE Rain Enhancement Program. 

Required Competencies

• Evidence of the ability to inspire and mentor students.
• Enthusiasm for research.
• Strong writing and organizational skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff and students.
• Appreciation for or experience with diverse constituencies.

Minimum Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, or a closely related field (ABD is allowed if the Ph.D. is to be completed within the first 6 months of employment).
• Experience conducting graduate research in Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, or a closely related field.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aircraft cloud probe operation, data processing, and data analysis.
• Experience writing research proposals that utilize research aircraft observations.
• Experience with Python and IDL computer programming.
• Experience working with the Airborne Data Processing and Analysis (ADPAA) Software Gateway.

To Apply

Submit application material by the closing date for the position.