About the Department:

In line with Mason’s Carnegie Classification as a Research I University (R1), the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences (AOES) at George Mason University focuses on being a prominent center for translational research. Faculty and students in the department conduct high quality, rigorous research on pressing problems, and work to disseminate knowledge in both academic and non-academic circles. The department offers undergraduate degrees in Geology and Atmospheric Sciences, M.S. degrees in Earth Systems Science and Climate Science, and a Ph.D. in Climate Dynamics. The faculty includes geologists, atmospheric scientists, paleontologists, and oceanographers. Additional information about the department may be found at: https://science.gmu.edu/academics/departments-units/atmospheric-oceanic-earth-sciences.

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (A-JEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes anti-racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will participate in a joint project between George Mason and NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) to improve the Global Ocean Reanalysis (GLORe) system. GLORe is a newly developed ocean and sea ice data assimilation system in support of the ocean monitoring and forecasting operation at CPC. Working with Professor Bohua Huang (George Mason) and Dr. Jieshun Zhu (CPC), the postdoctoral researcher will conduct comprehensive diagnostic analyses using the GLORe reanalysis for 1979-2022 and examine the seasonal hindcasts by the NOAA United Forecast System (UFS) initialized with the GLORe products. The researcher will also carry out seasonal hindcast experiments using UFS to evaluate the impacts of the improved ocean and sea ice features in new versions of the GLORe reanalysis on the seasonal ocean and sea ice forecasts.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts research on diagnostic analysis of the global ocean reanalysis products and evaluates and conducts seasonal hindcasts; and
• Writes manuscripts for publication and presents results at national conferences.

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a related field;
• PhD in climate dynamics, physical oceanography, or atmospheric sciences;
• Conducted doctoral-level research in climate dynamics, physical oceanography or atmospheric sciences;
• Knowledge of ocean and coupled general circulation models;
• Knowledge of ocean and atmospheric circulation;
• Statistical skill in analyzing climate datasets; and
• Written and verbal communication skills for scientific writing and oral presentation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with running ocean or coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation models is highly desirable;
• Programming experience in a Unix environment with scripting languages, as well as experience in handling big data, is recommended;
• Knowledge of ocean data assimilation;
• Skillful in computer programming in a Unix environment;
• First-hand knowledge of ocean and/or coupled modeling; and
• Advanced statistical methods for climate dataset analysis including model simulation and forecasts.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Postdoctoral Research Fellow at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information (including emails), and provide a cover letter/letter of intent, CV, letter of recommendation, and research statement.

Posting Open Date:  November 6, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by: January 9, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes