OverviewThe critical work of tornado science happens after the storm has passed - in the painstaking work of compiling, quality-controlling, and interpreting radar data collected at close range. As FWI's Research Analyst supporting NSSL, you will synthesize NSSL and external, open-source research radar datasets of tornadoes observed within 15 kilometers, building and maintaining a database that links radar observations to ground-based damage surveys. Your analysis will directly inform the scientific community's understanding of how tornadoes evolve and interact with the environment around them - and your name will be on the papers that come out of it.
Work Schedule and Location:Hybrid: This full-time hybrid position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM CST to 5 PM CST, with 90% at National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations.
Responsibilities- Assist NSSL Scientist(s) to compile, document, quality control, and analyze research radar data of tornadoes observed at close (
- Seek NSSL and open-source external, mobile radar (or fixed-site research radar) datasets, convert them to a common format, perform manual or objective quality control of Doppler velocity information, and cross-reference the datasets with ground-based damage surveys of tornadoes
- Create and maintain a database of radar-observed tornadoes, including developing a framework for community contribution, that includes details such as the observing radar system and relevant system attributes, peak radar-observed Doppler and rotational velocity, tornado and parent storm characteristics, minimum range from the radar, and links to available radar data
- Collaborate with NSSL scientists to use research radar observations to understand tornadoes, including their spatiotemporal evolution and impacts on the natural and built environment; publish relevant studies in reports and refereed journals; present at international conferences
- Contribute, as possible, to data collection with the NSSL RAPTORs, including designing observational strategies to collect close-range radar observations of tornadoes
QualificationsRequired:
- MS Degree (PhD Preferred) in meteorology, atmospheric science, or a related field
- 8+ years of professional and/or academic experience
Desired:
- Experience with weather radar observations, including interpretation of base and polarimetric data and quality control thereof
- Experience with manual or objective Doppler velocity dealiasing techniques
- Experience deploying mobile instruments, including familiarity with existing fixed and mobile weather radars (preferred), to observe severe and hazardous weather
- Familiarity with radar-based quality control software such as the Python ARM Radar Toolkit, RadX, and Solo3
- Experience with Python and/or other coding languages for data workflows and analysis
- Familiarity with field project design and management
- Established record of leading scientific research and publishing results
Work Setting and Environment:
- Primary location: National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations
- Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays; field data-collection activities may require irregular hours during active severe weather events
- Remote work arrangements must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR); on-site presence may be required based on mission, field operations, collaboration, or security needs
- Local and non-local travel may be required, not anticipated to exceed 5% annually; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
- Must complete an online IT security awareness course within one week of starting work
- Foreign national candidates are subject to export control review and require CO/COR approval prior to consideration
- Government-furnished equipment provided, including access to HPC resources, specialized mobile observation platforms, laboratory test equipment, computers, and office workspace, as applicable
Pay Range$83,000.00 to $87,000.00
