UCAR Fellowship Available Tropical Prediction
Center/National Hurricane Center Miami, Florida

Application review will begin mid-August, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking a research meteorologist to work at the Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC) of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), part of the the National Weather Service (NWS), in the area of satellite retrievals of ocean surface vector winds. The TPC/NHC is collaborating with organizations within and outside of NOAA to enhance the current and future operational utilization of satellite-derived ocean surface vector wind data. Current sources of data being examined include active scatterometers (e.g., SeaWinds on QuikSCAT, and ASCAT on METOP-A) and passive polarimetric radiometers (e.g., WindSat), for applications in operational tropical cyclone and marine analysis and forecasting, and related climatological studies. Partners include the NCEP Ocean Prediction Center (OPC) and the NOAA/National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS)/Office of Research and Applications (ORA), and collaborators include NASA and members of the academic community. Applications are being sought by qualified individuals interested in participating in the following activities: 1)Contribute to the development and evaluation of enhancements to retrieved ocean surface vector wind data in TPC/NHC areas of responsibility. Evaluate data from new instruments, and evaluate improvements to currently available data. Evaluate experimental products. 2) Help to develop new quality control and interpretation guidelines for retrieved ocean surface vector wind data for use in TPC/NHC operations, as applied to a variety of weather systems. 3) Identify specific strengths, applications, weaknesses, and biases of satellite-derived ocean surface vector wind data in TPC/NHC areas of responsibility, to maximize the utility of this data for TPC/NHC operations. Conduct extensive comparisons of ocean surface vector wind retrievals with other data sources. Quantify the impacts of satellite-derived ocean surface vector wind data on various TPC/NHC analyses, forecasts, and warnings. 4) Participate in evaluations of options for future satellite missions for the retrieval of ocean surface vector winds. 5) Participate in selected TPC/NHC operational activities, in order to become familiar with TPC/NHC operational procedures, needs, and constraints. Contribute to TPC/NHC techniques and applications development activities that may be either directly or indirectly related to the utilization of retrieved ocean surface vector wind data. The applicant will work with forecasters and other scientists at the TPC/NHC located in Miami, Florida. The work will also include collaborating with the broader scientific community, both within and external to project partner organizations. As the applicant will work on site at TPC/NHC, their overall research and daily work will be directed by a TPC/NHC staff member. The applicant may occasionally travel to NCAR (Boulder, CO), project partner organizations, and/or other relevant conferences and meetings. This position is anticipated to have duration of approximately 18 months. There is some possibility for extension based upon available funding and continued satisfactory performance. The mission of the TPC/NHC is to save lives, mitigate property loss, and improve economic efficiency by issuing the best watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather, and by increasing understanding of these hazards. To fulfill its mission, the TPC/NHC is comprised of the Hurricane Specialists Unit (HSU), the Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB), and the Technical Support Branch (TSB). Core TPC/NHC products and services include tropical cyclone warnings, forecasts, and outlooks from the HSU, and marine and satellite analyses, forecasts and warnings from TAFB. The TPC/NHC is located on the campus of Florida International University in Miami, Florida. The NWS Miami Weather Forecast Office is collocated with the TPC/NHC. The applicant should have a Ph.D. or M.S. in meteorology or atmospheric science. The individual should have the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience: Experience in tropical meteorology (knowledge of tropical cyclones and/or marine meteorology highly desirable) Experience in satellite remote sensing (knowledge of scatterometer wind retrievals highly desirable) Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a strong ability to collaborate. Scientific computing skills and abilities (knowledge of Unix and GEMPAK highly desirable) The selected fellow will receive a fixed annual salary. Benefits include health and dental insurance, sick and annual leave, paid holidays, mandatory participation in a retirement fund (TIAA/CREF), and life insurance. Some funds are provided for scientific travel, publications, and other support costs. To apply, send the following materials to UCAR/VSP: A cover letter identifying this position Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications, technical reports and professional presentations Names and addresses of three professional references (applicants should request letters be sent to UCAR/VSP as soon as possible) Ph.D. dissertation and/or M.S. thesis title(s) and abstract(s) One to two page statement of experience and interests as related to goals of this position Application review will begin mid-August, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled Send application materials to the following address:

UCAR / Visiting Scientist Programs Attn: Meg Austin, Director P.O. Box 3000 FL-4 / Suite 2200 Boulder, CO 80307-3000, USA For further information please call (303) 497-8649 or send e-mail to vsp@ucar.edu UCAR is an EO/AAE who values and encourages diversity in the workplace.

UCAR	UOP	VSP

Last Modified: 27 June, 2007