Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion Modeler - Staff Scientist

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for an Atmospheric Scientist and Modeler to work on consequence assessment in response to the dispersal of hazardous material. This position will be part of a multidisciplinary team within the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC – https://narac.llnl.gov), a national support and resource center for emergency planning, real-time assessment, emergency response, and detailed studies of atmospheric releases of nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, and hazardous natural materials. This position is in the Atmospheric Science Research and Applications group within the Atmospheric, Earth, and Energy Division of the Physical Life Science Directorate.

In this role, you will

• Create atmospheric dispersion modeling calculations for hazardous atmospheric releases and provide consequence assessments.
• Develop assessments using output from NARAC’s modeling tools for scientific support and resolution of moderately complex to complex technical problems.
• Communicate results to internal and external audiences ranging from peers to sponsoring organizations via written technical reports and presentations.
• Serve as part of monthly on-call rotations in the NARAC Operations Center.
• Provide technical expertise and scientific support to NARAC users and stakeholders.
• Develop and document operating procedures and perform monthly testing of the NARAC modeling suite.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In addition at the SES.3 level:

• Lead complex technical projects and tasks, providing technical direction and coordinating project scope, staffing, schedules, and budgets.
• Develop proposed work scopes and contribute to or lead written proposals for sponsors.
• Independently conduct novel research, develop or adapt modeling methods and capabilities, and document findings in technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations.
• Serve as a technical expert, providing guidance to team members and contributing to technical strategy for atmospheric consequence assessment activities.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• M.S. or higher in Meteorology, Atmospheric Science, Engineering or a closely related field or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Desire to work in an operational or emergency response role.
• Experience applying microscale, boundary layer, or regional meteorology theories to solve moderately complex to complex problems.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact in a clear and concise manner and explain technical information.
• Initiative, interpersonal skills, and ability to work in a dynamic, sometimes fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to occasionally travel to coordinate work with collaborators.

In addition at the SES.3 level:

• Advanced knowledge in atmospheric science, atmospheric transport and dispersion, numerical modeling, or a related specialty, with demonstrated ability to independently lead technical work.
• Demonstrated experience in proposal development.
• Established track record in advancing research in atmospheric processes, as demonstrated through publications and other research products.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to provide technical advice to management, sponsors, and collaborators.

Qualifications we desire

• Experience creating regional or national weather forecasts and communicating weather impacts to a non-expert audience.
• Familiarity with atmospheric forecast models (e.g. WRF, MPAS, CESM, or similar) including urban-scale atmospheric models.
• Familiarity with atmospheric dispersion models (e.g. Hysplit, FLEXPART, STILT, AERMOD, CALPUFF, CMAQ, or similar).
• Programming experience with languages such as Python, Matlab, C++, FORTRAN, or Java.

Pay Range

$146,340 - $222,564 Annually

$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for SES.2 level

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for SES.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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