Sea Ice Model Evaluations and Applications Scientist
Location: Suitland, MD | Full-time | Remote eligible
About the role
Lynker Corporation is seeking a Sea Ice Model Evaluation and Applications Scientist to support the Ocean and Tsunami Center (OTC) and the U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC), focusing on operational and research activities involving numerical sea ice forecast guidance. The role emphasizes evaluating guidance from systems such as the Global Forecast System (GFS), Global Ensemble Forecasting System (GEFS), Seasonal Forecast System (SFS), Real-Time Ocean Forecast System (RTOFS), and Navy forecast systems, with a primary goal of improving the operational use of Arctic sea ice guidance for forecast Days 8–14 and exploring applications at other lead times.
Responsibilities
- Perform job duties independently and collaboratively, applying initiative and innovative methods to evaluate and enhance the operational use of numerical sea ice guidance.
- Work with USNIC forecasters, NWS OTC scientists, model developers, and external collaborators to assess model performance.
- Evaluate how IMS products could better support model initialization and evaluation.
- Demonstrate prototype extended-range sea ice guidance for the USNIC.
- Provide recommendations on the scientific and operational readiness of evaluated guidance for potential transition to operations.
Qualifications
- Degree (BS or advanced degree preferred, e.g., MS or Ph.D.) from an accredited institution in Atmospheric Science, Oceanography, or other Geophysical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Sciences, or Mathematics.
- At least 2 years of career experience in related areas.
- Knowledge of numerical weather, ocean, sea ice, or coupled Earth-system modeling.
- Experience in model testing, evaluation, or forecast verification.
- Proficiency in Python for scientific data analysis.
- Experience working with gridded environmental datasets and formats such as NetCDF or GRIB.
- Experience working in a UNIX or Linux environment.
- Ability to communicate technical findings to scientists, software developers, and operational analysts and forecasters.
Skills
- Knowledge of sea ice analysis, forecasting, remote sensing, dynamics, or thermodynamics.
- Experience with ensemble prediction or medium-range and subseasonal forecast evaluation.
- Experience in workflow development, research-to-operations activities, or operational product development.
- Experience using ArcGIS Pro, ArcPy, or developing geospatial tools and workflows within an Esri environment.
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 business process improvement. We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective, fostering a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions.
Benefits
- Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost (covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and 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) – all employees are company owners.
- Flexible spending accounts.
- Employee assistance program (EAP).
- Short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Life and accident insurance.
- Tuition assistance, training, and 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 to learn at your own pace.
- Personalized career growth plans for every employee.
Pay
USD $78,000.00 - USD $120,000.00 per year.