Overview

Lyner is seeking a talented Ionospheric Scientist and Modeling Lead.  This scientist will support the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) in advancing ionosphere and thermosphere models to improve space weather forecasting for communication, navigation, and satellite drag applications. Responsibilities include developing and validating physics-based models, transitioning research capabilities into operations, coordinating with scientists, forecasters, and users, and communicating scientific results through publications and presentations. The position also requires providing scientific leadership by coordinating model development activities across multiple agencies, guiding research priorities, and fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

 

The Ionospheric Scientist and Modeling Lead will ideally have a Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Physical Sciences, Atmospheric Science, Space Physics, Engineering, or a related field, and at least five years of experience in research or operational forecasting. The candidate must have expertise in ionosphere and thermosphere modeling, scientific programming (Fortran and Python), model validation, and demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate scientific projects, scientists, and computer programmers.  They must also work effectively in a highly collaborative research-to-operations (R2O) environment.

Responsibilities

Duties of the Ionospheric Scientist and Modeling Lead will include the following:

 

• Work within a small dynamic group at SWPC to advance predictive models of the ionosphere and atmosphere to better forecast how space weather might impact communications, navigation, and satellite drag.
• Engage with the scientific and space weather user community to identify scientific and technical innovations related to ionosphere/atmosphere modeling that could be beneficial to SWPC forecasters and customers.
• Assess and validate models and applications to establish SWPC priorities.
• Guide the transition of high-priority models and applications from research to space weather forecasting operations, ensuring that they meet the scientific validation, documentation, and software infrastructure requirements of the Space Weather Prediction Testbed.
• Pursue external research capabilities that explore new scientific models, observations, or other innovations that have the potential to improve space weather forecasting capabilities.
• Present results and ongoing efforts through publications in internal reports, presentations at professional meetings, and conferences.
• Manage and coordinate the activities of the ionospheric modeling group at SWPC.

Qualifications

The Ionospheric Scientist and Modeling Lead selected should have the following:

 

• Thorough understanding of the physics and chemistry of the ionosphere and thermosphere
• Knowledge of space weather physical processes, including the interaction of the solar wind with Earth’s magnetosphere and the resulting response of the ionosphere and thermosphere
• A desire to leverage science in the service of society
• Ability to work in a mission-focused, operational environment and interest in implementing new products that are appropriate to such an environment (e.g., probabilistic, sector-specific, risk-based forecasts and products)
• Scientific programming skills and experience, particularly regarding Fortran and Python
• Skills in analysis and validation of physical models, especially competency and experience in comparing physical model simulations with satellite and ground-based data
• Knowledge of and experience with the WAM-IPE model or other physics-based Ionosphere-Thermosphere models
• Demonstrated ability to manage and coordinate a small team of scientists
• Ability to think critically and make independent decisions
• Ability to work well in a team
• Strong communication skills, demonstrated through written documents and oral presentations to audiences with widely varying degrees of sophistication and expertise

 

 

The Ideal Ionospheric Scientist and Modeling Lead will have the following:

 

• Familiarity with the impacts of space-weather induced ionospheric and atmospheric disturbances on radio wave communications, satellite navigation, or satellite drag
• Familiarity with the impacts of the lower atmosphere on space weather
• Experience with data assimilation methodology
• Familiarity with modern software management paradigms and tools (e.g., GitLab, Docker)
• Experience with parallel programming/computing and High-Performance Computing
• Experience developing high-quality and insightful visualizations of scientific datasets