PhD position in Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, with a focus on climate models
October 13, 2010
The University of Gothenburg, Faculty of Science announces in the strategic research initiative BECC (Biodiversity an Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate) and MERGE (Modelling the Regional and Global Earth system) and with financial support from Statens energimyndighet and project in Formas; LAGGE (Landscape Greenhouse Gas Exchange), 8 Ph.D. positions and 1 postdoctoral position at the Departments of Earth Sciences, Plant and Environmental Sciences and Chemistry.
The following position is one of these. 5 (9).
PhD position in Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, with a focus on climate models.
Position description:
We seek a PhD student to work on the project "A regional-scale
perspective on metrics for assessing global climate models". The project
is jointly funded through the strategic research initiative ModElling
the Regional and Global Earth system - MERGE, the Swedish Meteorological
and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), an the University of Gothenburg.
We would prefer studies to commence in early 2011. The first two years
fulltime studies will be paid by an education grant, and the following
two years by PhD employment.
Supervisors:
Dr. David Rayner (also contact person for this application) Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg. david.rayner@gvc.gu.se, +46 (0)31 786 4849
Dr. Klaus Wyser Rossby Centre, Swedish Hydrological and Meteorological Institute (SMHI). klaus.wyser@smhi.se, +46 (0)11 495 8464
Research description:
Global Climate Models (GCMs) simulate the climate well at a global
scale. However, there are large differences between different models –
and with observed data – especially at regional and local scales. Before
downscaling global data, researchers must decide how well a certain
global model reproduces the observed climate, and choose the best model
to use for downscaling. In order to rank the different models, we need
climate model metrics that give an objective
and reproducible measure for how well a climate model is simulating the climate.
This purpose of this position is to conduct research on climate model
metrics, and use metrics to weight different GCMs. We envision that the
effect of using metrics on climate change projections for the
Scandinavian would also be investigated.
The research environment:
As a student you will work within the Regional Climate Group (RCG, http://rcg.gvc.gu.se/)
in the Department of Earth Sciences (GVC), University of Gothenburg.
RCG research focuses on climate change, variability and impacts from the
past to the future. RCG represents a successful research environment,
with a high scientific production rate, good connections with
international and national research communities, and modern climate
research tools.
You will be jointly-supervised from the Rossby Center, SMHI's climate
modelling research unit. Research at the Rossby Center focuses on
climate models and the application of models for climate simulations.
Rossby Centre develops and uses the global EC-EARTH the regional RCA
models for their research.
The student we seek:
To be eligible, applicants must have:
1. completed an advanced level course (magister or maters) in a relevant
subject such as atmospheric science, geography, or statistical
analysis.
2. completed tertiary courses worth 240 points, of which at least 60 are at an advanced level in a relevant subject, or
3. be able to demonstrate an equivalent qualification or knowledge.
The project will involve developing and implementing new techniques for
statistical analysis of large, spatio-temporal climate datasets.
Applicants will be advantaged if they have completed university-level courses (or have equivalent experience) in:
- sophisticated data analysis software (eg. Matlab, R, SAS), mathematical statistics or computer programming;
- climate knowledge, climate change atmospheric processes.
Specific experience with climate data analysis will be highly regarded.
Good proficiency with both written and spoken English is required.
The Ph.D. studies lead to a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences with a specialisation in physical Geography.
Selection Criteria:
Candidates will be short-listed according to the:
- caliber of academic results (undergraduate and masters)
- relevance of previous studies/experience for the research project
- quality of the application (the relevance, language and presentation
of the cover letter and CV; how well the research proposal demonstrates
an ability to research information and contribute original ideas)
A successful will then be selected based on:
- an interview (possibly conducted remotely), and
- advice from the reference persons as to candidate’s suitability for the position.
To Apply:
Your application should consist of:
- A cover letter, in which you introduce yourself and highlight those
aspects of your CV that are most relevant for the position.
- A research proposal (one A4 page, including any figures and
references). Suppose you are given outputs from a climate model
simulation of the last 50 years. Suggest a statistical test that could
be used to assess how realistic these outputs are. (Note that the
research proposal remains your own intellectual-property, regardless of
the eventual success of your application).
- Your CV, including contact details of two reference persons.
- A copy of your academic record.
Application should be sent to:
Eugenia Andersson, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 460, 405 30 Gothenburg.
Mark the application with reference number E 334 3720/10
The application must be received no later than 31th of October 2010
Trade union representatives
SACO Martin Björkman, +46 31 786 3608
SEKO Lennart Olsson, +46 31 786 1173
OFR-S Astrid Igerud, +46 31 786 1167
