Research Scientist - Heat Forecasting, Human Centered Weather Forecasts - Development Innovation Lab India

About the Trust:

The University of Chicago Trust (the Trust) is a charitable trust in India, established in 2008 by alumnus of The University of Chicago. The Trust’s objectives are to provide opportunities for grants to support educational programs, research programs and activities for the betterment of India. 

The Development Innovation Lab – India (DIL-India):

DIL-India, based at the Trust in India, is dedicated to using the tools of economics to develop innovations with the potential to benefit millions of people. We have work in health, education, agriculture, climate change, road safety, and others. We do so by collaborating with government agencies, firms, and non-profits in India to identify, test, and scale evidence-based solutions. 

DIL-India has a fast-growing portfolio of policy-relevant research. DIL-India supports the development and dissemination of cutting- edge AI-based monsoon onset forecasts to farmers. DIL-India plans to build on this work, aiming to reach more people and expand its research to areas that have the potential to improve livelihoods and impact well-being.

Human Centered Weather Forecast Initiative:

Collaborating with HCWF, DIL-India brings together climate scientists, artificial intelligence (AI) experts and economists to build and evaluate weather forecasts that can target what citizens need to know, leveraging novel technologies, including AI, and scientific understanding. This interdisciplinary team then works to test forecast dissemination strategies, refine those strategies based on user response, and scale forecast dissemination to inform data-driven decision-making. 

For example: The Indian Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare distributed AI forecasts to 38 million farmers accurately predicting the start of the monsoon in 2025, becoming a model for using advanced in AI and atmospheric science to help vulnerable populations adapt to climate change. Hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers across the tropics depend on information about when the rainy season, known as the monsoon, will come each year. This advanced knowledge allows farmers to make more informed decisions about when to plant seeds, irrigate, and hire labor. However, accurate forecasting of when the monsoon will begin, especially at long lead teams and local scales, has remained a century-old challenge. AI has revolutionized global weather forecasting, promising new tools for predicting phenomena as complex as the monsoon. DIL-India researchers lead local HCWF research that supports an international, multidisciplinary collaboration to harness advances in AI to better predict the beginning of the monsoon in India.

This job opening is part of the launch of a new DIL-India initiative.

Position Description:

The Research Scientist Heat Forecasting will contribute to the development of forecasts of dangerous heat stress in India using a range of physics-based, artificial intelligence, and statistical weather prediction models as part of a multidisciplinary collaboration between universities. The candidate will support research activities at DIL-India in collaboration with the Human Centered Weather Forecasting Initiative, helping broaden this program from its initial focus on monsoon onset to other phenomena, including heat stress, and supporting its expansion across the country.

Responsibilities:

• Develop novel decision-oriented forecasting metrics, and forecasting systems using AI, statistical, and physics-based methods, and evaluate forecast skill compared to novel baselines tailored for decision-makers.
• Work as a key member of a fast-paced, multi-institutional team to develop built-for-purpose regional forecasts to improve livelihoods of farmers in low- and middle-income countries, 
• Build fundamental understanding of the forecasting potential for high-impact phenomena, such as extreme heat, using AI and statistical weather models.
• Collaborate with meteorological agencies in multiple countries to help build an operational system to provide actionable, real-time predictions to tens of millions of people throughout the tropics, leveraging last-mile delivery pipelines developed by non-governmental partner organizations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned or needed.

Qualifications:

Education:

Masters in atmospheric science, meteorology, climate science, agrometeorology, physical oceanography, applied math, statistics, physics, engineering, or a related field. 

PhD degree preferred.

Experience: 

• Minimum of 3 or more years of work experience in a related job discipline, including atmospheric science research or operational meteorology.
• Experience developing novel decision-oriented forecasting metrics, and forecasting systems for extreme heat using AI, statistical, and physics-based methods. 
• Experience evaluating forecast skill compared to novel baselines tailored for decision-makers. 
• Prior work in low- and middle-income country contexts, data-sparse environments, or experience with field work in developing countries, preferably including randomized controlled trials.

Competencies:

• Strong programming and numerical skills; proficiency in Python and common scientific computing libraries (e.g., NumPy, xarray, PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Experience with high-performance computing and analysis of large meteorological or climate datasets (e.g., reanalyses and NWP or AI weather prediction ensemble products).
• Expertise in weather forecasting, climate modeling/dynamics, or related geospatial applications.
• Familiarity with theoretical and practical aspects of scientific deep learning and AI weather models (e.g., GraphCast, AIFS).
• Knowledge of forecast verification methods (e.g., CRPS, reliability diagrams, skill scores).
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including ability to present to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a fast-paced, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional team.

Working Conditions:

• Based in Delhi with regular travel throughout India to project locations
• Applicant must be legally authorized to work in India.
• This is a one-year position subject to renewal.