Computational Modelling Specialist

• One of Australia's leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

THIS ROLE IS LOCATED IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.

The Computational Modelling Specialist will provide specialist research software engineering expertise to support computational research and model development for Climate and Weather Centres of Excellence to which UNSW is affiliated. The incumbent will be part of a dispersed team that develops, optimises, and deploys software workflows and data management processes that underpin climate and weather research utilising high-performance computing, visualisation and big-data approaches. They will also provide computational support and training to a distributed team of researchers and graduate students.

The incumbent will liaise with research staff and students within each of the five partner universities of the Centres, NCI, Australian Earth System Simulator (ACCESS-NRI), Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO and overseas institutions. As such the incumbent will demonstrate a strong understanding of major global and Australian climate modelling initiatives and interactions between a range of organisations and model suites.

This position is primarily funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century. The incumbent will contribute to and benefit from being a part of a supportive and vibrant Centre community which offers unparalleled networking and professional development opportunities. The Centre is a major seven-year initiative funded by the Australian Research Council. It is a consortium of 24 partners led by Monash University in partnership with The University of Melbourne, The University of New South Wales, The Australian National University, and the University of Tasmania.

The Centre's team-based research is focused on how Australia's weather is being reshaped by climate change. The Centre conducts blue-sky research with real-world applications for communities, industry and government. The research program is made up of six integrated Centre Projects: Weather System Dynamics; SSTs, Modes of Variability and Weather Systems; Weather Systems in a Warmer World; Weather Resources; High-Impact Weather; and Modelling Science. This position forms an integral part of the Centre Project: Modelling Science and the research software engineer will help the Centre achieve its ambitions for a new high-resolution coupled modelling system and will assist Centre researchers through a comprehensive training and support program.

About the role

• $118k - $133k - plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 4 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The Computational Modelling Specialist reports to the UNSW node lead and has no direct reports.

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Manage day to day operations and work collaboratively as a member of a distributed team of research software engineers, within the Centres' Modelling Science Project and CMS Team.
• Manage software development projects in climate and weather modelling from concept through to implementation and be responsible for the subsequent evaluation and testing.
• Provide recommendations for the ongoing management and continuous improvement of the systems such as providing technical support through the investigation, resolution and tracking of software issues and computational needs on NCI systems.
• Maintain extensive up to date knowledge of new and innovative methods in climate computing and where appropriate negotiate the use of third-party solutions in the Centre.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation and contribute to the preparation of articles for publication.
• Provide high level domain support and training to researchers to improve the computational skill level throughout the Centre, including developing a program of tutorials, training exercises, and example model configurations.
• Manage and implement WHS processes and safe work procedures for the computational aspects of the facility including ensuring hazards and risks are identified and controlled for tasks, projects and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant:
(Selection Criteria)

• A degree with a depth of subsequent relevant experience or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Demonstrated programming skills and experience in a Unix/Linux environment, particularly in Python, FORTRAN or other programming languages used. Experience in working in a HPC environment and/or parallel programming would be viewed favourably as would familiarity with GPU technology and experience with GPU accelerators in python.
• Demonstrated capacity to assist and manage team members and students with broad technical and project planning advice, including analysing data, and optimising computational protocols.
• Specific domain expertise, which may include machine learning, high-resolution atmospheric, or data science.
• Knowledge and technical experience in the design and application of supercomputing and data management solutions for climate science
• Knowledge of the Australian climate computing framework, including key systems and stakeholders
• High level analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in software engineering. Experience with modern version control software, e.g. git and GitHub, is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to work flexibly, prioritise work to meet conflicting deadlines, and to quickly adapt to new environments including a demonstrated ability to use initiative, apply sound judgement and work with minimum supervision individually and within a team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW's aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.

Contact:
Steve Sherwood
E:

Applications close: June 24th, 2024

Find out more about working at UNSW at

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.