Deadline: April 23, 2021
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Predictability of Weather and Climate group at the Physics Sub-Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (AOPP) at the University of Oxford, UK, as part of the European research project “European Climate Prediction system (EUCP). The position is available fixed-term until May 2022
About the Position
This project will develop an innovative ensemble climate prediction system based on high-resolution climate models for Europe for the near-term (~1-40 years) including improved methods to characterise uncertainty in climate prediction, regional downscaling, and evaluation against observations. The climate prediction system will be used to produce consistent, authoritative and actionable climate information which will form the basis for Europe-wide climate service activities to support climate-related risk assessments and climate change adaptation programmes. The post offers flexibility for novel ideas.
This position is part of the European Climate Prediction system (EUCP) project funded by the European Union under Horizon2020, consisting of 16 partners across Europe and led by the UK Met Office.
Duties and Responsibilities
They are looking for an enthusiastic Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join their Predictability of Weather and Climate group. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Develop novel scientific methodologies to explore how to merge, or homogenise initialised predictions with non-initialised scenario projections on time scales of 1-40 years. This will include developing a better understanding of the skill in initialised and non-initialised global projections for overlapping prediction time scales including estimation of the prediction time until which the initialised predictions add skill compared to the non-initialised predictions, for different variables, seasons and the European focus region.
- Develop storylines and cases of plausible future weather consistent with the result of the combined forecasts across the full range of 1 to 40+ years by drawing on the initialised and non-initialised ensemble members. Derive new methods to construct small ensembles of realisations from the initialised simulations until the merge point in time. The approaches will include matching indices of the major modes of variability, especially those most relevant to the European region.
- Develop your own and contribute to joint new research ideas
The successful applicant is expected to work closely with other project partners and will take responsibility for the relevant research in Oxford. This post not only is an exciting opportunity to carry out original research in a highly society- relevant area of climate science in close collaboration with the leading European climate prediction and projection groups but also offers the prospects to develop and follow independent scientific ideas.
Eligibility
- Applicants should possess, or be very close to obtaining a doctorate degree in climate science, mathematics, physics, statistical science or a related field.
- The candidate should have a sound knowledge of climate science, climate modelling and climate prediction, or some experience with statistical verification of ensemble predictions and/or big data analysis from other areas of science.
- Candidates are expected to demonstrate excellent communication skills.
- The post-holder will have the opportunity to teach.
Applications
Only applications received before midday 23 April 2021 can be considered. You will be required to upload
- a brief statement of research interests,
- CV and,
- details of two referees as part of your online application.
Please direct all enquiries about the role to Dr Antje Weisheimer antje.weisheimer@physics.ox.ac.uk
For more information: Visit the official Institution website
To apply click here
