Postdoctoral Research Assistant – University of Reading

MPOWIR Mentoring Physical Oceanography Women to Increase Retention; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious academic institution is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to investigate the impact of the Weddell sea polynya on climate systems as part of a large European project. The role requires a PhD in a relevant field, experience with numerical modeling, and strong communication skills. Candidates will engage in high-resolution simulations, contributing to important climate research over the next three years.

Qualifications

• PhD degree or nearing completion in a related field.
• Experience in numerical modeling and high-performance computing.
• Strong written and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the impact of the Weddell sea polynya on the ocean–atmosphere system.
• Analyze high-resolution coupled simulations from the PRIMAVERA project.
• Supervise and collaborate with other researchers in the project.

Skills

Numerical modelling

HPC

Good writing skills

Good communication skills

Education

PhD in oceanic/atmospheric science or related field

Job description

Overview

Postdoctoral Research Assistant – University of Reading. This 3-year post-doctoral position investigates the impact of the Weddell sea polynya on the coupled climate system. The position is part of the large-scale H2020 SO-CHIC project, regrouping 15 institutions across Europe. The SO-CHIC objective is to understand and quantify variability of heat and carbon budgets in the Southern Ocean through observation and modelling of atmosphere-ocean-sea-ice exchanges.

Responsibilities

The Weddell sea polynya represents a large perturbation of surface temperature with km-scale gradients at the ice edge, delivering intense heat fluxes to the atmosphere. The successful applicant will investigate the impact of the polynya on the ocean–atmosphere system and potential teleconnections with the Northern Hemisphere climate (e.g., Indian monsoon, European climate, AMOC). Implications for storage of heat and carbon in the Southern Ocean are a central goal.

Approach includes a combination of high-resolution atmosphere-only simulations to determine the atmospheric response to the polynya, and analysis of high-resolution coupled simulations from the PRIMAVERA project. Work will be supervised by D. Ferreira, with close collaboration with Dr Wonson Park and a post-doctoral researcher in GEOMAR (Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany).

Qualifications

• A PhD, or soon to be completed, in oceanic/atmospheric science, climate science, geophysical fluid dynamics or a related field
• Experience with numerical modelling and HPC
• Good writing and communication skills

Additional information

Interviews – Week beginning 13 July 2020