Executive Level 2 Lower, Ongoing $135,402 - $159,165 + 15.4% super Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
As part of the Bureau's Research Program, the Forecast Innovation Team (FIT) undertakes
research and development applicable to the weather forecast process, in particular the use of
ensemble model output to underpin probabilistic forecasts, leveraging guidance from large-scale
and convection-allowing modelling systems including processed Numerical Weather Prediction
(NWP) model output such as IMPROVER. The team also leads the development of improvements
to forecast production tools with a focus on severe and high-impact weather, including hazardous
conditions for aviation. Overall, FIT is facilitating a more efficient forecast process and the
production of more reliable and accurate NWP-based guidance products with a solid operational
focus.
The team's research delivery and support capability is expanding to include the support of the
Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC). The VAAC is tasked with volcanic ash monitoring /
detection and the dissemination of short-term predictions of hazardous plumes of volcanic ash
following a volcanic eruption for the benefit of safe and economical air travel. This function involves
the accurate diagnosis of volcanic eruption details based on remote sensing data and the use of
numerical dispersion modelling to predict the time evolution of a diagnosed ash plume. A state-ofthe-
art dispersion modelling system for volcanic ash has been implemented at the Bureau's VACC
to support this function: the Dispersion Ensemble Prediction System version 2 (DEPS-2). Gaining a
deep understanding of the operational system with its strengths and weaknesses and the ability to
initialise the systems with accurate initial conditions will form an essential component of the VAAC
support role.
3
The Bureau is now seeking an able and highly motivated person to become the scientific focal point for the ash advisory service and its underpinning research and development. The successful applicant will need to engage closely with (1) operational staff in order to ensure their current and future requirements are met; (2) other staff in the Research Program with expertise in NWP and/or observations science; and (3) software engineers who support the DEPS-2 system.