Atmospheric Modeller - Data Assimilation - Earth Sciences

Job / Position

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in the development and application of new data assimilation infrastructure and techniques for Earth Sciences New Zealand’s future physical and data driven weather and sub-seasonal forecasting systems.

About Us

At Earth Sciences New Zealand, we are bringing together exceptional science, technology and people to address the environmental, climate and natural hazard challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand. As a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation, we are committed to delivering science that creates meaningful impact for communities, industry and the environment, while partnering with Māori, supporting Pacific resilience, and shaping a more sustainable future for generations to come.

What You’ll Do

Earth Sciences New Zealand is embarking on a major initiative to design and build a new enhanced multi-hazard monitoring and forecasting system that will strengthen the safety, well-being and resilience of New Zealand’s environment, communities and economy to the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather and climate events. You will contribute to this exciting transformation by ensuring that our research and operational weather forecasting systems are making the best possible use of all available observation platforms, including radar and satellite, using established and new data assimilation techniques via the Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration framework.

We are looking for a highly motivated and technically capable scientist who can work with teams across Earth Sciences New Zealand and our international collaborators to develop and implement data assimilating weather forecasting workflows that yield accurate and timely forecasts.

You will have the opportunity to explore the utility and benefits of new observation platforms to weather forecasting over New Zealand and contribute to international research efforts in synoptic and convective-scale weather modelling with traditional physical models and state-of -the-art data-driven models.

You should have a strong background in data assimilation theory and application, a strong interest in meteorology and atmospheric physics and high-level competency using scientific programming languages and working in High Performance Computing environments. You should be able to work effectively within a team with excellent communication skills and have a desire to work on complex research and operational problems.

What We Offer

• Varied, challenging and important work with talented colleagues in an organisation devoted to earth science.
• A high performing organisation with a focus on employee development and wellbeing
• Generous leave entitlements and employee benefits
• Flexible working options
• A salary in the range of $97,000 - $138,000, depending on skills, experience and what you will bring to the role.

Apply now

If this sounds like the next step in your career, we’d love to hear from you.

Applications close: 1 December 2026