Working at NRL Monterey

Introduction
The Marine Meteorology Division (MMD) of the Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, CA has employment opportunities for permanent civil service positions, long-term and short-term visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellowships, and interns in a variety of research areas. The type of appointment is dependent upon the qualifications and interests of the successful candidates. The information below gives details on the types of opportunities, along with a breakdown of the research areas and topics that currently have the greatest potential for hiring. Additional information regarding career opportunities at NRL can be found by contacting NRL's Human Resources Office . For obtaining NRL Monterey specific information, please contact the MMD at (831) 656-4763

Civil Service Positions 
NRL offers its civilian employees a flexible work schedule, competitive salaries with locality pay, world-class research facilities that include state-of-the-art satellite processing and computing resources, and the opportunity to work with teams of talented and accomplished scientists. The actual starting salary is based on the education and experience of each candidate. Unlike most federal labs, NRL has the flexibility to create new civil service positions as funding permits or requires. Applicants should be U.S. citizens and have a B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. degree, or equivalent experience, in meteorology, physical science, computer science or an engineering field. Information about the many benefits of working for the Naval Research Laboratory and the special programs provided by the Laboratory can be found on the NRL D.C. Human Resources Web Pages. Be sure to read about the “Top 10 Reasons for Working at NRL”.  For MMD you can add the natural beauty and perfect climate of the Monterey Peninsula to the list. Additional inquiries are encouraged and can be directed to job.opportunities@nrlmry.navy.mil

Visiting Scientist and Senior Visiting Scientist Programs 
NRL maintains a strong visiting scientist program to help renew and invigorate the Laboratory's research program. Opportunities for long-term visits at NRL Monterey are available through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Visiting Scientist Program. We are looking for candidates who have an interest in conducting basic research in the areas of data assimilation; global, mesoscale, and aerosol modeling; nowcasting, data fusion, and satellite and artificial intelligence applications for meteorology and oceanography. Additional inquiries are encouraged and can be directed to job.opportunities@nrlmry.navy.mil

Summer Faculty Program
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Summer Faculty Program provides resident research opportunities for research or teaching faculty at U.S. colleges and universities. Please visit the linked website for contact information where you can direct further inquiries. Additionally, ONR Global can arrange and may support short-term visits to NRL for international scientists working on problems of interest to the Navy, who might not otherwise be able to make the visit.   

Postdoctoral Fellowships 
The MMD has employment opportunities for post-doctoral fellowships through the National Research Council (NRC) and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). NRC reviews applications on 1 February, 1 May, 1 August, and 1 November every year, and ASEE reviews applications whenever they are received. Applicants to NRC or ASEE must be U.S. citizens. We are looking for postdoctoral candidates who have an interest in conducting basic research in the areas of data assimilation; global, mesoscale, and aerosol modeling; nowcasting, data fusion, and satellite and artificial intelligence applications for meteorology and oceanography. Additional inquiries are encouraged and can be directed to postdoc.opportunities@nrlmry.navy.mil

Student Internships 
 ONR offers the Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program (NREIP), which provides financially supported summer internships at Navy laboratories to undergraduate and graduate students. NRL also provides mentors and internships for local high school students through ONR’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP). Opportunities are also available through the Pathways and HBCU programs. Additional inquiries are encouraged and can be directed to internship.opportunities@nrlmry.navy.mil

Research Areas and Topics for Employment Opportunities

Data Assimilation 
We are seeking candidates to develop, adapt and implement techniques for our global and mesoscale modeling systems to (1) utilize of new types of atmospheric data (e.g., satellite, Doppler radar, high resolution mesoscale observations, unmanned platforms, observations of opportunity); (2) initialize models with cloud and moisture information (including soil moisture and precipitation); (3) directly assimilate all-sky MW and IR radiances; (4) improve the initialization of tropical cyclones including aircraft reconnaissance data (e.g., dropsondes, SFMR, tail Doppler radar); (5) assimilate aerosol and trace constituents; (6) develop coupled data assimilation for Earth System of system that includes atmosphere, ocean, land, sea-ice, waves, upper-atmosphere, aerosols and trace gases, and improved land surface components; and (7) adapt the MET/MET+ analysis and forecast diagnostics and verification package. The candidates must have a background in at least two of the following areas: data assimilation theory & applications, remote sensing theory & applications, and radiative transfer.

Global Modeling 
We are seeking candidates to: (1) develop and test improvements to the dynamics and physical parameterizations in the Navy global modeling system (NAVy Global Environmental Model, NAVGEM); (2) develop, and evaluate the fully coupled air-ocean-ice-wave Navy Earth System Prediction Capability (ESPC); (3) assist in global model diagnostics; (4) conduct basic research in global dynamics, predictability, sub-seasonal to seasonal prediction, extended range prediction of tropical cyclones, and coupled processes; and (5) test, evaluate and implement improvements to our global ensemble forecasting system. Candidates must have a background in numerical modeling that can be applied to a global prediction system and/or a background in ensemble forecast systems.

Mesoscale Modeling 
We are seeking candidates to: (1) develop and evaluate new numerical methods and parameterizations for non-hydrostatic microscale, mesoscale, and global modeling systems, which includes atmosphere and ocean components (COAMPS, COAMPS-TC); (2) develop a next generation non-hydrostatic unified global and limited-area prediction system (NEPTUNE); (3) test and evaluate high-resolution air-ocean coupled systems (COAMPS, COAMPS-TC, NEPTUNE); (4) conduct basic research studies of microscale and mesoscale dynamics, tropical cyclones, Arctic processes and prediction, mesoscale predictability, the parameterization of physical processes on the mesoscale and microscale, air-sea coupled processes, and the coupling between physical and dynamical processes; (5) assist in regional and next-generation model development, diagnostics, and evaluation. Candidates must have a background in numerical modeling that can be applied to a non-hydrostatic mesoscale prediction system.

Aerosol/Radiation Modeling 
We are seeking candidates to: (1) develop and test our aerosol forecast models , including model initialization, data assimilation, and transitioning the models to operations; (2) participate in Navy and international field projects to collect and interpret in-situ and remote measurements of aerosols, radiation, and clouds; (3) distribute real-time aerosol observations, global, and regional aerosol forecasts and validation via the internet to Navy and academia; and (4) integrate the atmospheric aerosol impact on the performance of Naval optical sensors and high energy laser systems. Candidates should have a background in one or more of the following areas: numerical weather prediction, data assimilation, chemical transport modeling, measurement and analysis of the microphysical and optical properties of tropospheric aerosols, instrumentation, radiation, radiative transfer calculations and satellite aerosol retrievals.

Decision Systems 
We are seeking candidates to develop and validate high-resolution analysis, nowcasting, prediction, database management, operations research, information delivery systems in a distributed computing environment. Candidates should have a background in one or more of the following areas: on-scene data assimilation, data fusion of on-scene unconventional observations, numerical weather prediction, "through the sensor" technology, radar remote sensing, radar meteorology, and data processing and post-processing. We are also interested in computer science candidates who have a background in application system development, database development, web technology applications, and information delivery methodologies. In addition, candidates with operations research, optimization, and machine learning backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are interested in weather impact on operations, associated decision guidance for routing and asset allocation, and evaluation of product in terms of user satisfaction. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively with end users and work with team members to facilitate a spiral development and transition process.

Satellite Meteorological Applications 
We are seeking candidates to assist in (1) exploring multi-sensor and model data fusion capabilities based on next-generation passive and active observing system, (2) developing both novel and innovative algorithms and techniques for retrieval of cloud, rainfall, and aerosol properties, (3) developing artificial intelligence applications for creation and blending satellite data products, (4) integrating these activities within the framework of numerical weather prediction model validation, parameterization improvements, and data assimilation, and (5) tactical and operational applications and delivery of satellite data products. Candidates must have a background in satellite remote sensing theory, radiative transfer theory, aerosol optical properties, satellite meteorology, satellite operations and sensor development, and computer sciences/artificial intelligence.

NRL MMD strives to develop and maintain a diverse workforce. NRL MMD is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, neurodiversity, physical appearance, veteran status, religious beliefs, political beliefs, country of origin, working style, job category, education level, cultural background, and marital and parental status. At NRL MMD, our goal is to build a diverse and inclusive workforce and workplace environment. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at NRL MMD. We are committed to inclusivity and promoting an equitable environment that values and respects the uniqueness of all members of our organization.