Job opportunity: Part-time modeler/scientific software engineer (contract)

[vtamsitt]

We’re seeking a part-time Scientific Software Engineer to support the development of a next-generation ocean modeling platform for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR). This is a part-time contract position, ideal for someone with strong scientific software development skills, knowledge of geophysical fluid dynamics and a passion for applying their expertise to climate solutions.

About Submarine Scientific

Submarine Scientific is a mission-driven company developing tools to support the safe, scalable, and scientifically rigorous growth of the marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) industry. We work at the intersection of ocean modeling, AI, and environmental data systems to make high-performance modeling more accessible to researchers, project developers, and verifiers. Our team brings together deep expertise in oceanography, software development, and climate science with the goal of building trustworthy infrastructure that supports climate mitigation, marine ecosystem protection, and the integrity of carbon markets.

About the Role

As part of a small, mission-driven team, you will work closely with oceanographers, data scientists, and AI developers to implement and test features that make high-resolution ocean models more accessible and scalable. Your primary focus will be on the technical implementation of ocean biogeochemical modeling workflows, which may include:
Working with Submarine team members on modeling platform user interface design
Development of automation software for model configuration and model validation against observations
Configuring specific regional ocean biogeochemical model test cases and running ensemble model experiments of mCDR interventions
Assisting with data ingestion, formatting, and integration for validation workflows
Implementing differentiable modeling techniques for uncertainty quantification
Supporting the design and execution of model performance metrics

Qualifications

• Masters degree or PhD in applied mathematics, atmospheric or oceanic sciences, computer science, engineering, physics, statistics, or a related field at the time of appointment
• A strong background in physical, mathematical, and/or computational sciences
• Minimum 3 years of experience in scientific software development or research computing
• Proficiency in one or more scientific programming language (e.g. Julia, Python, Fortran)
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and collaborative software development workflows.
• Working knowledge of high-performance computing (HPC) environments and parallel programming.
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in coastal and/or regional ocean modeling, including a working understanding of regional ocean model configuration and performance testing
• Familiarity or experience working with Oceananigans.jl and/or ClimaOcean.jl
• Experience applying AI/ML tools to geophysical modeling applications
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and interacting cross-functionally with diverse groups

Position Details

• Part-time, flexible hours with flexibility during critical project phases
• Remote location within the U.S.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or otherwise authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship
• Project duration: minimum 6 months, with the potential for renewal or expansion
• Compensation ranges from $50 to $80 per hour depending on experience and location

To Apply

Send a brief cover letter, resume/CV, LinkedIn profile (optional), and examples of relevant work (e.g., GitHub link, publications, or project descriptions) to [email protected].
We strongly encourage applicants from varied backgrounds and with nontraditional career paths to apply—even if you don’t meet every listed qualification. If you’re passionate about scalable climate solutions and ocean science, we want to hear from you.