Research Associate in Atmospheric Dynamics

UK Space Jobs; Matlock Bath CP; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Bath-based research group is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study atmospheric gravity waves and their role in weather and climate. You will work with international collaborators, combining satellite observations, ground-based measurements, and high-resolution simulations.

The role emphasizes ML/AI techniques to address observational challenges and to develop physically-consistent wave measurements for climate models. Flexible development opportunities and international exposure are offered.

Qualifications

• PhD in atmospheric science or related field, or near completion.
• Experience analyzing scientific data and developing research software.
• Interest in applying ML/AI to atmospheric observations.

Responsibilities

• Investigate generation and propagation of atmospheric gravity waves.
• Analyze NASA/ESA satellite observations with ground-based data and simulations.
• Learn and apply ML/AI to combine measurements of gravity waves.
• Develop, apply and evaluate a gravity wave parameterisation for climate models.
• Publish in high-impact journals and contribute to open-source scientific software.

Skills

Analytical skills

Collaborative teamwork

Scientific programming

Education

PhD in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, mathematics or related field

Tools

Python

ML/AI methods

Job description

About The Role

Join a major new research programme investigating how atmospheric gravity waves shape the Earth's atmosphere, weather & climate. You will study how these waves transport energy and momentum, and help improve how they are represented in weather and climate models.

You will work within an international team combining satellite observations, ground-based measurements, & high-resolution numerical simulations. You will also apply machine learning and advanced computational intelligence (ML/AI) methods to address the longstanding “observational filter problem.” Our goal is to produce physically-consistent measurements of global atmospheric wave activity.

For context on our group’s work, see our 2022 multi-instrument gravity wave paper in Nature, which introduced some of the observational techniques that underpin this research, and our recent press release on our involvement in developing new satellite observations.

As a member of Bath's research staff, you will be entitled to at least 10 days' professional development each year and will have freedom to shape your own science within the broad goals of the research. We actively support postdoctoral researchers in developing independent research directions & fellowship applications, and recent members of the group have progressed to lectureships, independent research fellowships, and positions in meteorological agencies, industry and academia.

About You

• Is enthusiastic about understanding how the atmosphere works and solving challenging scientific problems.
• Has, or is close to completing, a PhD in atmospheric science, physics, meteorology, mathematics or a related field.
• Has experience analysing scientific data & developing research software.
• Is interested in applying machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to atmospheric observations
• Enjoys working collaboratively & communicating science to a range of audiences.
• Is motivated to publish high-quality research and develop an international research profile.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Investigate how atmospheric gravity waves are generated, propagate through the atmosphere and influence the large-scale atmospheric circulation.
• Analyse observations from NASA and ESA satellites alongside ground-based measurements and high-resolution atmospheric simulations.
• Learn and apply ML/AI methods to combine complementary measurements and recover aspects of the gravity wave field that cannot currently be observed systematically.
• Use the resulting measurements to help develop, apply and evaluate a new gravity wave parameterisation for the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM), working with colleagues at Bath, the British Antarctic Survey and the US National Center for Atmospheric Research.
• Publish in high-impact journals, present at international conferences, and contribute to open-source scientific software and datasets.

Further information

This is a full-time (36.5 hours per week) fixed-term role with an expected end date of 30/09/2029.

For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Juli Jaen at