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 Environmental System 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 Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) User Facility (https://www.arm.gov/). 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 deployed as part of ARM’s ‘supersite’ observatories, designed to characterize the aerosol-cloud-precipitation spectrum.

Position Description

Under the supervision of ARM Instrument Mentors at BNL, the selected candidate will work on software for the design and development of scientific instrumentation, measurement infrastructure and other related systems. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, designing data acquisition and instrument communication systems, setting up computer networking, and developing related software. The candidate will also work closely with other groups within ARM for interfacing the AOS systems with the larger ARM infrastructure. This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multicultural scientific community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop control & measurement software for instruments and systems in the AOS, and at BNL calibration and test labs. Work with ARM AOS instrument mentors on identifying software requirements
• Collaborate with ARM AOS instrument mentors on developing auxiliary data acquisition systems (e.g., for temperature, pressure, RH) for the AOS, and BNL calibration and test labs
• Configure, maintain and troubleshoot networking and data flow between AOS instruments and computers. Set up and maintain AOS computers together with the ARM Site Data System group (SDS)
• Work with ARM Site Data System group (SDS) on configuring and troubleshooting network access and data flow between AOS and SDS. Be up to date with relevant ARM setups, procedures and policies
• Troubleshoot issues with various remote-control software for accessing computers remotely.
• Stay current with relevant ARM setups, procedures, and policies
• Troubleshoot general software and hardware issues with AOS computers

Position Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, or software development with an emphasis on hardware control, Engineering, or closely related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Minimum three (3) years progressively responsible related work experience
• Demonstrated experience in developing LabView software for controlling scientific instrumentation or test and measurement equipment
• Practical experience with communication protocols & hardware such as RS-232, USB, Ethernet (including TCP/IP network configuration)
•  Experience writing data acquisition and processing software to read, parse, and write files in various formats
• Experience with electronics: ability to identify electronic components, perform basic tests and measurements
• Practical understanding of computer hardware and ability to troubleshoot issues (e.g. network configuration, configuring and troubleshooting hardware interfaces, diagnosing failing hardware such as hard drives, etc.)
• Basic understanding of computer networks (ethernet). Familiarity with networking protocols such as NTP and SNMP
•  Basic practical experience with electronics: ability to identify electronic components, perform basic tests and measurements
• Experience in administrating MS Windows operating systems: changing system configurations, understanding and configuring user permissions, etc.
• Practical understanding of computer hardware and ability to troubleshoot issues (e.g. network configuration, configuring and troubleshooting hardware interfaces, diagnosing failing hardware such as hard drives, etc.)
• Experience with basic productivity software such as MS Word, Excel, Outlook

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Practical understanding of network switching, routing, access control, VPN etc
• Experience with scientific software environments such as Igor or Matlab
• Experience with programming in Python
• Experience in developing microcontroller systems (e.g. Arduino, RaspberryPi) and working with lower-level protocols such as I²C, SPI  and 1-wire
• Experience in working with data files in scientific data formats
• Experience in developing and maintaining computer networks. A good practical understanding of switching, routing, access control, VPN etc. Familiarity with networking protocols such as NTP and SNMP

Other:

• Limited domestic and international travel to maintain the AOS infrastructure
• Appointment level will be commensurate with experience and qualifications

Environment, Safety & Health, and Other information:  

• Ability to work in tight spaces and routinely lift more than 30 pounds

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, Volleyball)