Research Scientist

at  University of North Dakota

494727
Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
Atmospheric Sciences
Research
Full-time Staff
Closing on: May 17 2024
Salary/Position Classification
$55,000+ Annual, Exempt
40 hours per week
100% Remote Work Availability: No
Hybrid Work Availability: No
Purpose of Position
To work with Dr. Dave Delene, and his collaborators, on processing and analysis of atmospheric data observed via research aircraft; to assist in the development of software packages for the processing of this data; and to develop and submit project reports, conference presentations, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, and research proposals.
The position functions within the department under the supervision and in conjunction with other researchers to move forward collaborative research and educational efforts.
Duties & Responsibilities
The processing, analysis, and publication of atmospheric data previously observed with research aircraft:
Process aircraft data from the Saudi and IMPACTS field projects (background info described below).
Submit datasets to sponsors.
Analyze the processed aircraft data and work on one conference presentation.
Develop/write and submit one peer-reviewed paper.
Saudi Field Project: The University of North Dakota is supporting the Saudi Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Enhancement Campaign (SARPEC) series of field projects, which aims to determine the effectiveness of operational cloud seeding techniques for rainfall augmentation within the arid climates of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first SARPEC intensive operational period (IOP) occurred in the late summer of 2023 coincident with the seasonal monsoon of the Asir mountains/escarpment of south-west Saudi Arabia. In-situ measurements of cloud microphysics properties are obtained using the North Dakota Citation Research Aircraft, which deployed cloud probes and airborne wind measurements systems. Twelve research flights were conducted during the summer of 2023, which include five cloud physics missions. Cloud penetrations were conducted at various levels (-10 °C, -15 °C, -20 °C) above cloud base to determine how liquid water content properties vary with vertical development and to observe the effects of ice crystal aggregation processes. A second SARPEC IOP was conducted in October/November of 2023, with 21 flights completed. A third SARPEC IOP was conducted from March 16 to April 26, 2024 (Extension I). Analysis data from the SARPEC IOP are presented at national and international conference. Initially three peer-reviewed Journal Articles are planned; 1.) Saudi Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Enhancement Campaign (SARPeC) - Motivation, Science and Operations: Successful Dual Aircraft Convective Cloud Penetrations, 2.) Observations of Wind Flow Related to Thunderstorm Genesis Along the Red Sea Escarpment of Saudi Arabia 3.) Cloud Observations and Processes in Saudi Arabia Convective Clouds.
IMPACTS Field Project: Winter snowstorms on the eastern seaboard cause major disruptions to transportation, commerce, and public safety. Snowfall is frequently organized in banded structures in winter stormed, which is poorly understood and predicted by models. The ability of remote sensing technologies and numerical weather prediction models have advanced significantly which enables obtaining observations that identify key processes and improves remote sensing methods and weather forecasting. The University of North Dakota is responsible for the acquisition and processing of data from the cloud microphysics probes (Cloud Droplete Probe, King Probe, Water Content Measurement Probe, Rosemount Icing Probes, 2D-S Probes, HVPS3 Probes, and Hawkeye probe), which are mounted on the NASA P-3 aircraft. The integration of these probes required technical work for establishing power and data connections, mounting of the probes on the under-wing pylons, buildup of the cabin instrument racks, and verifying operation of all instruments. Software is used to ensure proper instrument function once installed and to handle the P-3 data streams. The UND team operated the probes during the IMPACTS field campaigns, which includes cleaning, maintenance, conducting quality control checks, and troubleshooting the instruments. UND is responsible for delivering Level 2 data products to the project archive and conducts analysis of the cloud probe data in collaboration with other IMPACTS investigators. UND graduate students, Christian Nairy and Jennifer Moore, operated the cloud probes on the NASA P-3 research aircraft throughout the two month long, 2023 IMPACTS field project.

Please refer the Job description for details