Quick Summary
Meteorologist and Data Scientist Developer
Overview
Lynker is seeking a talented Meteorologist and Data Scientist Developer to support a long-term contract at the Weather Prediction Center (WPC). This role involves direct interaction with scientists within NOAA and external partners, including NCEP centers, NWS weather forecast offices, NOAA research facilities, academia, and the NWS Science and Operations Officer community.
The incumbent will collaborate with these partners to develop and implement verification methods for new forecaster tools applied to operational and experimental forecasts. This work aims to enhance impact decision support services (IDSS) and build a Weather Ready Nation. A key focus will be leveraging machine learning techniques to enhance forecasting capabilities, including leading projects that apply advanced AI algorithms to predictive modeling.
Additionally, the role involves developing enhancements for current forecaster tools and pioneering new services. Promising work will be transitioned to operations, with the incumbent providing training materials. Specifically, machine learning models will be employed to improve existing tools and create new, data-driven services.
Areas of particular interest include developing forecaster and verification tools for hazardous weather, and utilizing ensemble model output for probabilistic products. A key focus is integrating AI and machine learning workflows to optimize processing of ensemble model output and complex meteorological datasets, including applying neural networks to enhance high-resolution numerical weather prediction models.
The ideal Meteorologist and Data Scientist Developer will identify pertinent datasets (satellite, land use, meteorological) and develop forecaster tools for web pages or forecaster platforms. Assignments are outcome-based, requiring independent development of methodologies, sound analyses, and recommendations. Projects may include analysis, application development, or other specific areas. The candidate will also leverage AI-driven data pipelines to automate the ingestion and preprocessing of vast meteorological datasets.
Responsibilities
Duties of the Meteorologist and Data Scientist Developer include:
- Collaborate with meteorologists at NCEP, NWS field offices, academia, and outside partners to develop forecast tools for short to medium range time frames regarding hazardous weather.
- Use scientific and technical meteorological expertise to develop tools for determination of hazard information.
- Contribute to formal scientific publications and/or attend off-site conferences, symposia, and hazardous-weather-related outreach events.
- Collaborate to transition forecaster tools developed at WPC and elsewhere within NOAA into operations at WPC and other NOAA offices.
- Develop web applications using modern industry languages and tools such as GIS, Python, and PHP.
- Develop training materials to transition new tools and techniques into operations.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
- Design and train machine learning models to identify precursors to hazardous weather events.
- Implement AI-based anomaly detection systems to identify errors or gaps in real-time forecast data.
Qualifications
The selected Meteorologist and Data Scientist Developer should have:
- A degree (e.g., B.S. or B.A.) from an accredited institution in Atmospheric Science, Oceanography, or other Geophysical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Sciences, or Mathematics, with at least 2 years of experience in related areas.
- Experience applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze and model complex environmental or meteorological datasets.
- Experience with software development support in a team environment.
- Experience with Python and Unix shell scripting within a UNIX/Linux Environment.
- Knowledge of deterministic and ensemble prediction system datasets and their application to hazardous weather diagnosis and prediction.
- Knowledge of weather forecasting - short to medium range.
- Ability to organize, plan, and complete projects.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills for documentation and presentations.
- Ability to support team initiatives, demonstrate respect for team members, and seek team consensus.
The Ideal Meteorologist and Data Scientist Developer will have:
- Experience with development frameworks for web-based map applications (e.g., ArcGIS, JavaScript, API).
- Proficiency in data science frameworks and libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn, and experience with deep learning applications in weather prediction.
About Lynker
Lynker is a growing, employee-owned business specializing in professional, scientific, and technical services. Our team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost-effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.
We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities creatively and effectively.
Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include:
- Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost (medical, prescription drug, dental, vision).
- Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays.
- Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Employee assistance program (EAP).
- Short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Life and accident insurance.
- Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year.
- Spot bonuses for exceptional performance.
- Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses.
- Employee Referral Program.
- Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System.
- Personalized career growth plans for every employee.
Lynker is an E-Verify employer.
Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.