Research Analyst - Radar Climatology and Analysis of Tornadoes, Scientist 4

Overview

The critical work of tornado science happens after the storm has passed — in the painstaking work of compiling, quality-controlling, and interpreting radar data collected at close range. As FWI's Research Analyst supporting NSSL, you will synthesize NSSL and external, open-source research radar datasets of tornadoes observed within 15 kilometers, building and maintaining a database that links radar observations to ground-based damage surveys. Your analysis will directly inform the scientific community's understanding of how tornadoes evolve and interact with the environment around them — and your name will be on the papers that come out of it.

Work Schedule and Location:

Hybrid: This full-time hybrid position will work Monday through Friday, 8 AM CST to 5 PM CST, with 90% at National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations.

FWI is expanding rapidly and has been recognized as a 2024, 2025 and 2026 Top Workplace, offering excellent growth opportunities in a collaborative environment. 

Responsibilities

• Assist NSSL Scientist(s) to compile, document, quality control, and analyze research radar data of tornadoes observed at close (<15 km) range
• Seek NSSL and open-source external, mobile radar (or fixed-site research radar) datasets, convert them to a common format, perform manual or objective quality control of Doppler velocity information, and cross-reference the datasets with ground-based damage surveys of tornadoes
• Create and maintain a database of radar-observed tornadoes, including developing a framework for community contribution, that includes details such as the observing radar system and relevant system attributes, peak radar-observed Doppler and rotational velocity, tornado and parent storm characteristics, minimum range from the radar, and links to available radar data
• Collaborate with NSSL scientists to use research radar observations to understand tornadoes, including their spatiotemporal evolution and impacts on the natural and built environment; publish relevant studies in reports and refereed journals; present at international conferences
• Contribute, as possible, to data collection with the NSSL RAPTORs, including designing observational strategies to collect close-range radar observations of tornadoes

Qualifications

Required: 

• MS Degree (PhD Preferred) in meteorology, atmospheric science, or a related field
• 8+ years of professional and/or academic experience

Desired: 

• Experience with weather radar observations, including interpretation of base and polarimetric data and quality control thereof
• Experience with manual or objective Doppler velocity dealiasing techniques
• Experience deploying mobile instruments, including familiarity with existing fixed and mobile weather radars (preferred), to observe severe and hazardous weather
• Familiarity with radar-based quality control software such as the Python ARM Radar Toolkit, RadX, and Solo3
• Experience with Python and/or other coding languages for data workflows and analysis
• Familiarity with field project design and management
• Established record of leading scientific research and publishing results

Work Setting and Environment:

• Primary location: National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), National Weather Center, Norman, Oklahoma, or designated field deployment locations
• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays; field data-collection activities may require irregular hours during active severe weather events
• Remote work arrangements must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR); on-site presence may be required based on mission, field operations, collaboration, or security needs
• Local and non-local travel may be required, not anticipated to exceed 5% annually; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
• Must complete an online IT security awareness course within one week of starting work
• Foreign national candidates are subject to export control review and require CO/COR approval prior to consideration
• Government-furnished equipment provided, including access to HPC resources, specialized mobile observation platforms, laboratory test equipment, computers, and office workspace, as applicable

FWI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. 

Why Join Our Team

At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Holiday Pay
• Paid Time Off

Pay Range

$83,000.00 to $87,000.00 depending on experience, education, and clearance level.