at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Springfield, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Overview
PNNL’s Earth System Science Division enables energy independence and national security through leadership in earth systems science, engineering, and decision analytics. Our work focuses on solving complex problems in the dynamic Earth system. Our interdisciplinary scientists steward a breadth of efforts that encompass research on plants to groundwater science and coastal zones, to storm prediction.
Our research focuses on understanding and mitigating operational risks at the interface of human and natural environments. This includes predicting the impacts of natural hazards and extreme climate events on Earth and human systems, along with the impacts of wildfire, flooding, sea level rise and storm surges. We focus on understanding and mitigating environmental contamination and increasing the resiliency, security and sustainability of water resources. We provide geointelligence through advanced sensing and data analytics to forecast complex system behaviors and operational performance to understand human-natural systems. This includes informed decision making and enhanced community resilience, advanced monitoring, and remote sensing of environmental systems for energy and national security. It also includes developing energy systems, including geothermal energy, sustainable oil and gas production, storage and utilization, along with carbon sequestration.
Driven by a “science-to-solutions” philosophy, we provide scientific leadership and technology to enhance national security, mitigate natural hazards and optimize disaster response. In the critical areas of energy, environment, intelligence, and defense, we deliver insights and decision support through the development of tools and solutions.
Responsibilities
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking individuals to both strengthen and develop new capabilities in human-Earth system interactions and predictability. Successful candidates will join a group with extensive expertise in developing models that represent both natural systems (e.g., hydrology) and human systems (e.g., energy and water infrastructure) that are used to characterize human-Earth system behavior and their complex interactions with specific ability to apply this research at operations and decision scales. The successful candidate will specifically be responsible for the conceptualization and development of new approaches and the utilization of existing tools to quantify value of near and long term hydrometeorological forecast to co-managed water and energy systems. As such, the incumbent will be expected to be well versed in the fundamentals of surface hydrology modeling, water management models and optimization schemes, hydropower operations, flow forecast systems and verification, and have the ability to craft novel analytics to quantify performance of these systems under non-stationary conditions and develop coupling with other sectoral models. This will require the candidate to be competent with climate, hydrologic and water management modeling.
Discipline, principal job duties/expectations, and qualitative and quantitative measures of performance that exceed the Functional Descriptor:
+ Work within multidisciplinary teams representing Earth system science domain knowledge, with active contributions to provide technical insights to existing projects and programs
+ Assist and/or lead the conceptualization, development, validation and application of coupled climate-water-energy models.
+ Participate or lead the development of new project/sponsor proposals to enhance fundamental and applied research relative to human-Earth system predictability
+ Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed human-Earth system research efforts and establish collaborations both within and outside of PNNL
+ Participate in national and/or international professional societies, advisory groups, and/or external collaborations
Studies the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and/or interactions of these systems with human activities. Uses scientific principles, instrument measurements, computer models, data analysis, and knowledge of policy and regulatory drivers to study the environment and/or develop solutions to environmental problems. Leverages knowledge and tools from fields such as ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, geochemistry, soil science, geology, hydrology, atmospheric science, economics, and/or integrated assessment.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
+ BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience OR
+ MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience OR
+ PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
+ Ph.D. in Earth system science, hydrology, geography, civil, environmental or mechanical engineering, or related field with strong background mathematics, statistics, or uncertainty quantification.
+ Experience in development and execution of physics-based or data-driven models, including demonstrated knowledge of one or more programming languages
+ Demonstrated knowledge of surface hydrology models, water management models, climate impact assessment on water and energy resources through research projects, publications and/or operations.
+ Strong communication skills with previous experience with water agencies and hydropower industry.
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment
This position may involve business development efforts and may require travel to off-site locations
Additional Information
Not Applicable.
Testing Designated Position
Not a Testing Designated Postion.
About PNNL
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State-the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity
Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov .
Drug Free Workplace
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
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