Working at NRL Monterey
Introduction
The Marine Meteorology Division of the Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, CA has employment opportunities for permanent civil service positions, long-term and short-term visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellowships, and interns in a variety of research areas, with the type of appointment dependent upon the qualifications and interests of the successful candidates. The information below gives details on the types of opportunities, along with a breakdown of the research areas and topics that currently have the greatest potential for hiring. Additional information regarding Career Opportunities and Working at NRL can be found by contacting NRL's Human Resources Office. For obtaining NRL Monterey specific information, please contact the Division at (831) 656-4763.
Civil Service Positions
NRL offers its civilian employees a flexible work schedule, competitive salaries with locality pay, world-class research facilities that include state-of-the-art satellite processing and computing resources, and the opportunity to work with teams of talented and accomplished scientists. Actual starting salary within is based on the education and experience of each candidate. Civil service positions are contingent on the availability of anticipated new funding resources and in most cases, require U.S. citizenship. Applicants should have a B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. degree, or equivalent experience, in meteorology, physical science, or engineering field. Information about the many benefits of working for the Naval Research Laboratory and the special programs provided by the Laboratory can be found on the NRL DC Human Resources Web Pages. Be sure to read about the top 10 reasons for working at NRL, and our Division would add the natural beauty and perfect climate of the Monterey Peninsula to our list.
Visiting Scientist and Senior Visiting Scientist Programs
NRL believes in maintaining a strong visiting scientist program to help renew and invigorate the Laboratory's research program. Opportunities for long-term visits at NRL Monterey are available through the UCAR Visiting Scientist Program. The Navy-ASEE Summer Faculty Program provides resident research opportunities for research or teaching faculty at U.S. colleges and universities. Additionally, the Office of Naval Research International Field Office can arrange and may support shorter-term visits to NRL for international scientists working on problems of interest to the Navy, who might not otherwise be able to make the visit.
The NRL Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) was revised and reissued on May 1, 2009. It may be accessed at: http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/baa/index.htm
Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, CA anticipates employment opportunities for post-doctoral fellowships with NRC and ASEE. NRC reviews applications on 1 February, 1 May, and 1 August every year, and ASEE reviews applications whenever they are received. Applicants to NRC or ASEE must be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents. NRL Monterey also offers postdoctoral fellowships through the UCAR visiting scientist program managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. We are looking for post-doctoral candidates who have an interest in conducting basic research in the areas of data assimilation; global, mesoscale, and aerosol modeling; nowcasting, data fusion, and satellite and artificial intelligence applications for meteorology and oceanography.
For further information, see http://hroffice.nrl.navy.mil/jobs/postdoc.htm
Internships
The Office of Naval Research has initiated a demonstration program called the Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program, which offers financially supported summer internships at Navy laboratories to undergraduate and graduate students. NRL Monterey has also provided mentors and internships for local high school students from the Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Sciences. NRL Monterey also participates in other internship programs.
Research Areas and Topics for Employment Opportunities
Data Assimilation
We are seeking candidates to: (1) Development and testing of the current 3D VAR data assimilation system, (2) develop and validate assimilation techniques for the NPOESS and the NPOESS Preparatory Project sensors (e.g., CrIS, CMIS, OMPS, ATMS), (3) development and testing of a 4D VAR and ensemble-based data assimilation systems, and (4) testing satellite assimilation methods and develop diagnostics to analyze the results. Candidates are sought for both global and mesoscale data assimilation system. The candidates must have a background in at least two of the following areas: data assimilation theory and applications remote sensing theory & applications, and radiative transfer.
Global Modeling
We are seeking candidates to: (1) develop and test improvements to the dynamics and physics in our global modeling system (i.e., NOGAPS); (2) develop and test the extension of NOGAPS into the stratosphere and mesosphere; (3) assist in global model diagnostics; (4) conduct basic research in global dynamics, predictability, and model numerics; and (5) test and implement improvements to our global ensemble forecasting system. Candidates must have a background in numerical modeling that can be applied to a global prediction system and/or a background in ensemble forecast systems.
Mesoscale Modeling
We are seeking candidates to: (1) develop and evaluate new numerical methods and parameterizations for our microscale and mesoscale modeling systems, which includes atmosphere and ocean components; (2) assist in the development of a mesoscale air-ocean coupled system; (3) conduct basic research studies of mesoscale dynamics, the parameterization of physical processes on the mesoscale and microscale, and air-sea coupling processes; and (4) assist in the development and evaluation of our mesoscale ensemble prediction system. Candidates must have a background in numerical modeling that can be applied to a mesoscale prediction system.
Aerosol/Radiation Modeling
We are seeking candidates to: (1) develop and test our aerosol forecast models , including model initialization, data assimilation, and transitioning the models to operations; (2) participate in Navy and international field projects to collect and interpret in-situ and remote measurements of aerosols, radiation, and clouds; and (3) distribute real-time aerosol observations, global, and regional aerosol forecasts and validation via the internet to Navy and academia, and (4) integrate the atmospheric aerosol impact in Naval optical sensor performance. Candidates should have a background in one or more of the following areas: numerical weather prediction, data assimilation, chemical transport modeling, measurement and analysis of the microphysical and optical properties of tropospheric aerosols, instrumentation, radiation, radiative transfer calculations and satellite aerosol retrievals.
On-Demand Systems
We are seeking candidates to develop and validate high-resolution analysis, nowcasting, prediction, database management, operations research, information delivery systems in a distributed computing environment. Candidates should have a background in one or more of the following areas: on-scene data assimilation data fusion of on-scene unconventional observations, numerical weather prediction, "through the sensor" technology, radar remote sensing, radar meteorology, and data processing and post-processing. We are also interested in computer science candidates who have a background in application system development, database development, web technology applications, and information delivery methodologies. In addition, candidates with the operations research background are encouraged to apply. We are interested in the field of operations research, weather impact on operations and evaluation of product in terms of user satisfaction. All candidates should be able to communicate effectively with end users and team members to facilitate a spiral development and transition process.
Satellite Meteorological Applications
We are seeking candidates to assist in (1) exploring multi-sensor and model data fusion capabilities based on next-generation passive and active observing system, (2) developing both novel and innovative algorithms and techniques for retrieval of cloud, rainfall, and aerosol properties, (3) developing artificial intelligence applications for creation and blending satellite data products, (4) integrating these activities within the framework of numerical weather prediction model validation, parameterization improvements, and data assimilation, and (5) tactical and operational applications and delivery of satellite data products. Candidates must have a background in satellite remote sensing theory, radiative transfer theory, aerosol optical properties, satellite meteorology, satellite operations and sensor development, and computer sciences/artificial intelligence.