Organizational Overview

The Environmental & Climate Sciences Department (www.bnl.gov/envsci) at Brookhaven National Laboratory focuses on a wide range of theoretical, experimental, and field studies in support of the U.S. Department of Energy's climate and energy research agendas. Work is supported by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility (www.arm.gov), an observations-based program that measures aerosols, clouds, precipitation, radiation, and atmospheric dynamics; the Atmospheric Systems Research Program; and the Terrestrial Ecosystems Science Program. This work is pursued with the ultimate goal of improving predictability and reducing the uncertainty in global and regional climate models. The department research portfolio also includes development of environmental technologies and applications for renewable energies, urban science, and national security.

Within the department, the Aerosol Chemistry and Microphysics Group is focused on improving process-level understanding of aerosol formation and evolution mechanisms, aerosol optical properties and light absorption, and the direct and indirect influences that aerosols have on clouds, precipitation, and climate. Understanding the physics, chemistry and dynamics of interactions along this aerosol-cloud-precipitation continuum is crucial for development of a predictive understanding of the climate system. To this end, the group leads the mentorship of the Aerosol Observing System for the ARM User Facility. These observations are supported by various measurement platforms and instrument suites designed to conduct in situ observations of aerosols and related trace gases that are deloyed as part of ARM’s ‘supersite’ observatories, designed to characterize the aerosol-cloud-precipitation spectrum.

Position Description
The Environmental and Climate Sciences Department is seeking an individual to serve as the lead mentor of the DOE ARM User Facility’s (www.arm.gov) Aerosol Observing System (AOS.) The individual will also be expected to pursue scientific research utilizing AOS measurements. ARM operates the nation’s premier supersite observatories for climate research with  three fixed and three mobile observatories deployed globally each year. The AOS is a comprehensive system for in-situ measurements of aerosol microphysical, chemical, and optical properties designed to lend insight into critical aerosol processes in the climate system. The AOS lead mentor oversees the builds, management, and deployments for the AOS infrastructure and instrument systems, the individual instrument mentors that comprise the system, and liaises with ARM management to ensure efficiency and scientific relevance in these areas.

The incumbent will be expected to publish, present results at national and international scientific conferences, develop future directions for his/her research program, and participate in and contribute to the development and growth of the department. The researcher should have the ability to work well in a diverse team across cultures, language skills, and experiences in order to promote the use of AOS data throughout the department and laboratory as well as with the larger ARM science community.This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multicultural scientific community. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as lead of the ARM Aerosol Observing System group
• Manage group fiscal and personnel requirements
• Liaison with ARM management and staff for efficient operations of the AOS program
• Liason with end users of data to expand scientific utilitization of data
• Off-site work for field deployment siting, measurement system testing, and campaign field work, sometimes in remote locations
• Conduct independent scientific research; publish in peer-reviewed journals in the atmospheric and climate sciences
• Present at national and international conferences
• Actively participate in and contribute to program development and other aspects of the department
• Work involves moderate lifting and strenuous activities

Position Requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in the atmospheric sciences, chemistry, physics, or a related field
• At least 7 years of  progressively responsible postdoctoral experience
• Proficiency in in-situ aerosol instrumentation
• Demonstrated pursuit of independent research
• Demonstrated publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Clear and concise oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Proficiency in working with atmospheric data sets across multiple instruments and formats
• Ability to  travel (domestic and foreign) in support of ARM-sponsored field programs
• Ability to work well in a diverse team across cultures, language skills, and experiences

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated supervisory and group leadership skills
• Experience with field deployment of instrumentation including measurement planning, calibration, running, and troubleshooting instruments in the field, and verifying/documenting data quality
• Experience with aircraft measurements and campaigns involving inlets and instrumentation for aerosol and trace gas
• Hands-on familiarity with trace gas instrumentation

Environment, Safety & Health, and Other information:  

• Ability to work in tight spaces
• Routinely lift more than 30 pounds
• Initial 2-year term appointment subject to renewal contingent on performance and funding

At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave)
• Lab-funded Retirement Plan
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Employee Fitness/Wellness & Recreation:  Gym/Basketball Courts, Weight Room, Fitness Classes, Indoor Pool, Tennis Courts, Sports Clubs/Activities (Basketball, Ping Pong, Softball, Tennis)