Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Associate

www.jobs.ac.uk - Jobboard; Exeter; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Associate to contribute to groundbreaking research on climate intervention strategies. This role focuses on modeling solar radiation modification impacts, requiring expertise in climate modeling and atmospheric sciences. The successful candidate will work closely with esteemed colleagues and international partners, driving innovative research aimed at mitigating global warming. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence climate science and contribute to peer-reviewed publications, all while operating in a collaborative environment that fosters professional growth and development.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in relevant fields required.
• Expertise in climate model analysis and aerosols essential.

Responsibilities

• Model impacts of solar radiation modification (SRM).
• Collaborate with international partners and publish findings.

Skills

Climate Modeling

Atmospheric Sciences

Research Program Development

Teamwork and Supervision

Climate Change Processes

Education

PhD in Mathematics

PhD in Physics

PhD in Computer Science

PhD in Meteorology

Tools

UKESM1 Climate Model

Job description

Recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Associate position with a duration of up to three years to work on modeling deliberate climate intervention strategies aimed at cooling the planet and mitigating global warming impacts.

The climate crisis poses a threat of surpassing COP21 targets, leading to severe climate impacts. While mitigation is essential, greenhouse gas levels and associated global warming are projected to rise under all scenarios, increasing the risk of extreme events and tipping points. The successful candidate will model the impacts of solar radiation modification (SRM) to evaluate their feasibility.

The role involves close collaboration with colleagues at the University of Exeter, the Met Office Hadley Centre, and international partners. The candidate will be expected to publish peer-reviewed papers detailing their findings.

The impacts of SRM depend heavily on the scenario, which is influenced by baseline climate change and the degree of cooling, as well as on the deployment strategy, including the method (e.g., SAI, MCB) and location. Recent research indicates that strong local applications of MCB can cause significant local cooling and impact global atmospheric and oceanic circulation through teleconnections. The candidate will perform various MCB scenario simulations using the UKESM1 climate model, focusing on impacts on atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, sea-ice, ENSO, AMOC, and marine ecosystems. Experience in climate modeling, particularly with UKESM1, and analysis of climate phenomena like ENSO and AMOC, is required. The position is funded by NERC under the MACLOUD project, under the guidance of Prof Jim Haywood and Prof Paul Halloran.

Grade F: Applicants should possess a relevant PhD or equivalent in mathematics, physics, computer science, meteorology, or related fields, and be recognized authorities in atmospheric sciences with the ability to develop research programs. They should demonstrate teamwork, supervision skills, and expertise in climate model analysis, aerosols, and climate change processes.

Grade E: Applicants should be near completion of or possess a relevant PhD or equivalent in a related field, with sufficient knowledge of research methods and climate modeling. They should be willing to learn analysis techniques related to climate models, aerosols, and climate change.

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role.

For further information, contact Prof Jim Haywood at [e-mail].

The starting salary ranges from £34,132 for Grade E (Associate role) to £42,882 for Grade F (Fellow role), depending on qualifications and experience.