Applications are invited for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship (PDF), extendable for up to a three year period, analysing improvements in atmospheric dynamics and variability relevant to temperature and hydrological extremes from applying a novel run-time empirical bias correction technique in a global climate model.
Term: 2 years with possibility to extend up to a 3 year period
Preferred start: Oct 2024
Salary range: $55,000-62,500 CAD plus benefits
Location: UBC Vancouver Campus, Canada
Supervisor: Dr. Rachel H. White
Background:
Are you interested in atmospheric dynamics and in working on research problems related to climate extremes? Are you motivated to help improve climate models and their predictions? We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the Climate Dynamics Lab in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (EOAS) at the University of British Columbia to contribute to research on atmospheric dynamics driving extreme temperature and hydrological events. Project goals include:
- understanding how the application of a novel run-time empirical bias-correction technique impacts the representation of atmospheric variability and related surface extremes in a global climate model;
- developing and publishing open-source python code to calculate metrics of atmospheric circulation for the Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM);
- quantifying and understanding how improvements in global models from run-time bias correction impact dynamically downscaled simulations.
Research will focus on present-day simulations and future projections of atmospheric circulation patterns and variability associated with temperature and hydrological extremes, including, but not limited to: atmospheric rivers; quasi-stationary waves and atmospheric blocking; cold-air outbreak events; extratropical cyclones; and the stratospheric polar vortex.
The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with team members from Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) in Victoria, BC, Canada. You will also have opportunities to collaborate with other researchers in the EOAS Climate Dynamics Lab. Our research group, led by Prof. Rachel White, conducts research on climate dynamics, including subseasonal to seasonal forecasting, with a focus on the atmospheric dynamics associated with extreme weather events such as heatwaves, wildfires and extreme precipitation.
Requirements:
- Demonstrated interest in analysis of atmospheric dynamics in climate models
- PhD in climate science, atmospheric science, or a related atmospheric science field
- Experience with climate modelling and data analysis (including analysis using Python and Linux shell scripting)
- Self-motivation, capacity to lead projects, and ability to complete projects in a timely manner
- Excellent analytical and communication skills
- Valuable assets (not required): expertise in atmospheric dynamics and the connections between atmospheric dynamics and extreme weather events, and/or familiarity with Canadian climate models, CanESM and CanRCM.
Project Team and Objectives:
The successful candidate will work with Prof. Rachel White, collaborating extensively with Dr. Michael Sigmond from Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC, Victoria, BC, Canada). The post-doctoral researcher will be expected to take leadership of this project, completing the following objectives:
- Perform a comprehensive analysis of Canada-focussed future projections of atmospheric circulation patterns and associated temperature and hydrological extremes in novel simulations of the CanESM and CanRCM that employ run-time empirical bias-correction (EBC) techniques.
- Quantify and understand the benefits (and limitations) of EBC for future projections and how such benefits will translate into improved downstream applications.
- Collaborate with the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) on the future application of EBC in climate model simulations, and provide software packages to enhance diagnostic capacity in atmospheric dynamics variables and metrics.
There is flexibility within this project for additional analysis to be conducted, and the ideal candidate would bring their own ideas to the project team.
Benefits:
There will be opportunities for professional development, including training in scientific communication, project management and stakeholder engagement. Opportunities also include annual travel to Victoria, BC, Canada to work with team members from ECCC and CCCma, and travel to conferences.
A description of UBC benefits is available here: https://hr.ubc.ca/working-ubc/faculty-titles-ranks-and-descriptions/postdoctoral-fellows
Application Instructions:
Please email rwhite@eoas.ubc.ca with the subject “CDL Postdoctoral Position” and the following materials:
- a short (1 page or less) description of research interests
- a short (half a page or less) paragraph of evidence for the requirements listed above
- a current CV
- names and contact information for two to three references (no letter necessary)
Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled, with a preferred start date of Oct. 1, 2024.
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.