Research Physical Scientist

Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards.

This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ BASIC REQUIREMENTS: This position has a positive Education Requirement in addition to at least one year of Specialized Experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Transcripts must be submitted with your application package.

You MUST meet the following requirements: To qualify for the 1301 series: EDUCATION: A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR B.

Combination of education and experience: education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education. AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To qualify at the ZP-4 or GS-13 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements above, applicants must also possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZP-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Developing weather forecast models and data assimilation software codes; Providing computer programming in several languages (i.e, Python, Fortran, C, C++) to develop forecast products; and Communicating scientific findings to the scientific community or other stakeholders both verbally and in writing.

As a Research Physical Scientist, you will perform the following duties: Develop weather forecast model (dynamic core) and data assimilation software code for massively parallel supercomputers across heterogeneous environments including on-premises and cloud platforms demonstrating expertise with code design and optimization for accuracy, performance and portability.

Apply expert knowledge of atmospheric processes, data assimilation, atmospheric modeling, to lead theoretical and experimental research for advanced technologies in weather forecasting over a wide range of time and space scales. Apply computer programming and debugging expertise in several languages (i.e, Python, Fortran, C, C++) and use of innovation approaches to develop and produce forecast products.

Use domain specific language including familiarity with novel computer architectures such as GPUs to further exascale needs of next generation earth system prediction models. Present research findings at national/and or international significant scientific conferences and workshops and participates in working groups. Formulate recommendations and provide advice to managers.

Ability to communicate scientific and technical information verbally and in written form for stakeholders, members of the public and/or other individuals and groups. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active.

Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.