Earth System Sciences Postdoctoral Fellow

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Earth System Sciences Department is seeking an Earth System Sciences postdoctoral fellow to support two DOE-funded projects, HyperFORMANCE and CASCADE.

HyperFORMANCE aims to improve the accessibility and usability of hydrometeorological information for resource managers and flood planners, while CASCADE investigates the nature and predictability of hydrometeorological extremes affecting water-energy systems.

This two-year position, with potential extension, will be split equally between the projects and involve interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists, statisticians, social scientists, and stakeholders. Candidates should have experience in Earth system modeling, high-performance computing, and data analysis, along with knowledge of water cycle processes and land-atmosphere interactions. Experience in mountain hydrometeorology is particularly encouraged. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, and opportunities to co-mentor students may be available.

The postdoctoral research will use DOE's Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) and may involve one or more of the following topics:

1. Recreating storyline flood or extreme heat events and investigating their land-atmosphere interactions

2. Exploring subseasonal-to-seasonal predictability of flood or extreme heat events

3. Performing perturbed parameter ensemble experiments on subgrid-scale physics schemes that control mountainous water cycle processes

4. Developing and applying weather feature tracking algorithms on atmospheric rivers, extratropical cyclones, and their associated meso- to local-scale features (e.g., frontal rainbands)

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?
We invest in our postdoctoral scholars by offering benefits and resources designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and life outside of work:

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options available

• 24 days of Personal Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays

• Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs

• Opportunities to connect, network, and grow through the Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association, including social events, professional development, and scientific exchange

• A collaborative and inclusive culture where you can grow your research career and belong

You will:

• Run Earth system model simulations (e.g., E3SM) on high-performance computing systems.

• Analyze model outputs and datasets to investigate hydrometeorological extremes, water cycle processes, and land-atmosphere interactions.

• Develop and apply computational, statistical, and data analysis methods to evaluate model simulations and investigate Earth system processes.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams to advance project objectives and contribute to scientific findings.

• Present research results at national or international conferences.

• Effectively communicate research results in peer-reviewed journals.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Co-producing science with water-energy resource managers or flood planners.

• Ethical application of artificial intelligence or machine learning techniques to accelerate scientific workflows.

We are looking for:

• A Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Hydrologic Science, Earth System Science, Physics, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated proficiency working in a supercomputing environment (e.g., NERSC Perlmutter or NWSC Derecho).

• Demonstrated proficiency with programming languages (e.g., Python, C++, and Bash/Shell scripting).

• Demonstrated research experience in mountainous water cycle and land-atmosphere processes.

• Demonstrated ability to set up and run Earth system model simulations (e.g., E3SM and CESM).

• Excellent oral and written research communication skills to communicate with both academics and non-academics.

• Ability to manage one's time with short- and long-term personal and project research goals in mind.

• Ability to work effectively in a large and integrated team, including respect for others' research contributions and diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Understanding of subseasonal-to-seasonal or seasonal-to-decadal prediction literature and experimental setup.

• Working knowledge and application of weather feature tracking algorithms (e.g., TempestExtremes).

• Demonstrated ability to use advanced statistical analysis techniques and observations, observationally constrained gridded products, reanalysis datasets, and theory to validate Earth system model simulations.

Additional information:

• Appointment type: This is a full-time 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.

• Salary range: The monthly salary range for this position is $6,790 - $9,234 and is expected to start at $6,790 or above. Postdoc positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information, click here).

• Union Represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here