The Hydrology Science Section of the Bureau's Research Program is seeking an outstanding scientist to conduct seamless hydrological predictions research to improve our understanding of climate variability, hydrological extremes and water resource assessment. In particular, the role will focus on seamless hydrological prediction, including the development of climate-scale land surface models. You will be a member of a team that contributes to key research with a focus on ensuring Australians are able to respond to current and future natural hazards and associated disasters, as part of improving national Climate and Disaster Resilience. You will conduct research, both independently and under guidance, and be expected to analyse extremely large volumes of data based on output from earth system models, land surface models, including for model optimisation and evaluation, using a variety of sophisticated statistical and analytical techniques including machine learning models.
You will need to have:
- An excellent understanding of seamless hydrological predictions, particularly stemming from land surface models. This includes knowledge of operational hydrology and land surface workflows as well as novel techniques (e.g. AI) for predicting landscape hazards and hydrological extremes. A wide knowledge of model optimisation and evaluation techniques including hydrological metrics is advantageous. Additionally, experience with agile vegetation modeling, carbon cycle modeling, or bio geochemistry modeling is desirable.
- Excellent analytical and scientific programming skills, including extensive experience with big data and ensemble processing and high-performance computing, and with machine learning models and scientific and visualisation languages including Python.
- Flexibility to work effectively and productively as a member of a team or project leader under the direction of your team leader, and an ability to plan and undertake research independently and to publish research results.
- Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to write science papers, work plans, present work orally, and translate science outcomes in ways which can be understood by non-expert audiences and customers, in particular, internal and external stakeholder engagement and multi-disciplinary experience is desirable.
- The role will involve close collaboration with scientific and technical staff across the Research Program, and with other Bureau employees and external stakeholders. Experience in liaising effectively with external stakeholders is an advantage.
The key duties of the position include
1. Undertake original research and associated development in the area of seamless hydrological predictions and hydroclimate hazards and extremes, including publishing results in the scientific literature.
2. Work with clients, sponsors, and stakeholders of the Bureau's Research Program to understand their needs, develop proposals to address scientific and technical gaps, contribute to projects and drive innovation and scientific advancement with measurable impact and value.
3. Deliver practical science-based solutions in response to identified customer or organisational needs, including supporting development of a fully coupled Earth System Model with a focus on integration of machine learning techniques and land surface modelling which delivers greater impact and value from Bureau Services.
4. Provide scientific advice and scientific leadership to Bureau leaders and senior scientists and support them in delivering Team and Section plans and priorities.
5. Demonstrated commitment to the Bureau Way along with the APS Values and Code of Conduct.
6. Comply with all Bureau work, health and safety policies and procedures, and taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct.