The Cooperative Institute for Severe & High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO - https://ciwro.ou.edu/) seeks to fill a Research Scientist position for its collaborative research as a Cooperative Institute with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). The Research Scientist will contribute to NSSL’s Warn-on-Forecast (WoF) program.

Background:

The WoF system (https://wof.nssl.noaa.gov/) is envisioned to be a primary contributor to the NWS Probabilistic Impact-Based Decision Support Services. Social science expertise is key to ensuring that the probabilistic WoF guidance created is usable and useful to NWS forecasters and other stakeholders. (e.g., Emergency Managers, Broadcast meteorologists, etc.)

Responsibilities:

The incumbent will lead the design and conduct both qualitative and quantitative research studies within NOAA Testbed, NWS Weather Forecast Offices, and/or NWS centers to explore and test operational usability to include aspects such as: 1) visualization, 2) perceptions, understanding, and use of probabilistic forecast guidance and related uncertainty information, 3) the communication of this information to partners, and 4) identification of operational opportunities for (or concerns about) applying probabilistic information within the WFO and broader NWS infrastructure. In this role, a primary responsibility of the incumbent will be to coordinate the experimental use of the WoF system with NWS leaders and occasional travel to and conduct co-productive research within NWS offices and centers. Throughout the research process, the incumbent will work with other social scientists, model developers, and NWS forecasters for training, webinars and real-time experiment collaborations to contribute toward the production of a WoF system prototype ready for transfer to operations. Additional responsibilities include publishing findings in peer-reviewed literature and presenting at conferences.

Required Qualifications:

1. A Ph.D. in Meteorology, Cognitive Psychology/Industrial Engineering/Human Factors, Communication, Geographic Studies, Anthropology/Ethnography, Science and Technology Studies or related fields.

2. Research experience in user-centered design or coproduction, including designing and conducting studies to observe decision makers and elicit feedback.

3. Ability to lead experimental activities with the NOAA NWS and travel to NWS offices or centers to conduct research.

4. Experience conducting data collection and analysis in a collaborative environment (i.e., observation, user evaluation, etc.).

5. Excellent oral and written communication skills (including papers published in or submitted to refereed journals).

6. Ability to work both independently and cooperatively in interdisciplinary teams and to bring diverse knowledge and perspectives to problems.

The beginning salary will be competitive for this position and location, and will be dependent on experience. The University of Oklahoma provides a generous benefits package. Information on benefits may be found at https://hr.ou.edu/Employees. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

To apply for the position, please forward your resume, cover letter and list of three references to:

University of Oklahoma CIWRO

120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2100

Norman, OK 73072-7304

ciwro-careers@ou.edu

ATTN: WoFS

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer