Assistant Researcher

Assistant Researcher Position in Machine Learning and Climate

The UCLA Center for Climate Science is searching broadly for a talented Assistant Researcher scholar to work with Professor Alex Hall and his research group, contributing to research that utilizes machine learning methods to better understand local to global climate variability and change. The term would initially be for two years, but is renewable for at least one additional year, contingent on funding and satisfactory progress. The Assistant Researcher will have freedom to pursue projects of mutual benefit and will generally employ various explainable AI/ML techniques to address questions related to shifts in average climate conditions and the frequency of extreme weather events. Data sources include observations, global climate model output, and dynamically downscaled data at the regional scale across the United States. (The group has generated an unprecedented trove of multi-model regional high resolution future climate change projections.) These methodologies will be utilized to enhance the transparency and interpretability of predictive models dealing with complex climate data. Possible research areas include detection and attribution of hydroclimate signals, enlargement of high resolution regional ensembles through AI-based downscaling, building frameworks for reducing uncertainty in climate model projections, isolating the role that different climate forcings (e.g. aerosols) exert on recent trends, and improving predictability of hydroclimate change on annual to decadal timescales.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Atmospheric/Climate Sciences, Computer/Data Science, or a related field. Experience using both climate models and a variety of machine learning packages (e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn). Coursework or publications specific to climate research is preferred. The successful applicant will demonstrate independence in research, exceptional problem-solving skills, strong verbal and/or written communication, and the ability/desire to work effectively in a team. Strong programming skills (Python preferred) with emphasis on open-source, version control best-practices, documentation, and collaborative projects are expected. Lastly, candidates with experience using Linuxbased high-performance computing clusters are preferred as this position will benefit from the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputer Center which houses a 20 PFLOP CPU+GPU-capable machine.

• 2-3 required (contact information only)

PI will contact references

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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