Scientist – Atmospheric Properties

Job Title

Scientist – Atmospheric Properties

Location

COLLEGE PARK, MD, MD 20740 US (Primary)

Category

Scientist

Job Type

Full-Time

Compensation Minimum (USD)

$105,000

Compensation Maximum (USD)

$135,000

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Citizenship Status Required

U.S. Citizen

Security Clearance Required

None

Job Description

• Employment Category: Full-Time/Regular
• Location: NCWCP College Park, MD
• Travel: Some travel may be required both locally and domestically by car or plane
• Security Clearance: None
• Citizenship: U.S.
• Salary: Depending on Experience

Job Description:

STC supports NOAA NESDIS’s Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) by providing scientific, engineering, and programmatic expertise across satellite algorithm development, calibration/validation, data product generation, and technology transition. Our team helps NOAA accelerate the delivery of high-quality environmental data products from current and next-generation satellite systems to users worldwide.

These efforts support the Atmospheric Composition, Atmospheric Temperature, and Atmospheric Water Vapor Geophysical Product Categories in the NESDIS Level 1 Requirements Document, to include the efforts of the Aerosols and Atmospheric Composition, Ozone, and Soundings STAR Science Teams. Accordingly, requirements include conducting –

• Research, analysis, and development.
• Testing, upgrades, enhancements, improvements, and trouble-shooting.
• Validation, verification, and soft calibration.
• Reprocessing; and  
• Deliveries, implementation, and maintenance for operational algorithms, some of which interface with Air Quality (AQ) models.

STC is seeking a highly motivated and talented scientists across all levels to support the following support activities for Atmospheric Sciences & Technology Applications (ASTA 2.0) Atmospheric Properties Team to:

• Ensure and enhance the high quality of NOAA Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) products processed from satellite-based infrared and microwave sounders. The NUCAPS algorithm is a complex retrieval system that translates the radiance measurements from satellites into meaningful three-dimensional profiles of the Earth’s atmosphere, including temperature, moisture, and trace gases that are critical to weather forecasting.
• Modernize atmospheric microwave and infrared sounding retrieval algorithms including the use of Machine Learning/AI techniques and develop a variety of tools to assess the sounding algorithms quality.
• Implement MW/IR retrieval algorithms for new sensors, performing optimization/tuning experiments, delivering operational ready packages for operational applications and conducting detailed evaluation with relevant data sets for research.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Astronomy, Atmospheric Sciences, Chemistry, Climatology, Environmental, Geology, Materials Science, Meteorology, Oceanography, Physics, Space Applications, or related field.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities in a data-intensive environment.
• Demonstrated experience with MW/IR sounding retrievals, scientific code development, remote sensing data analysis/processing, data visualization using analysis software such as Python, MatLab, IDL, Fortran and C , or similar tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.  
• Excellent communication and presentation skills for technical reviews and team coordination.
•  The ability to develop and maintain science applications in cloud-based operating environments is required in support of the NOAA-NESDIS 5-year plan to migrate to a cloud-based production and development environment.  
• Proficiency in radiative transfer, 1D-Var, remote sensing, and scientific programming.

Desired Experience/Skills:

• Relevant experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) applications
• Relevant experience in satellite data applications, satellite operation, or satellite sensor calibration and characterization, etc.  
• Peer-reviewed publication or oral presentation at major science conferences.
• Familiarity with AWS or similar cloud computing platforms for data processing.

We are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers, committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under state or local law.