Postdoctoral researcher in climatology: Extreme winds and future sea level

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Earth Sciences has about 80 employees. We have Bachelor and Master’s programmes in Earth Sciences and in Geography as well as third-cycle education. Our strongest research areas lie within climatology, ecosystem sciences, geology and applied geoscience. The research strategy for the department emphasises further development of Earth System Science. For more information, see: www.gu.se/en/earth-sciences 

The future Northern Europe coast: stormier, more flooded?

Climate change is a reality that can no longer be denied. Coastal cities around the world must prepare for sea level rise and catastrophic flooding during storms. And *you* can help!

In the first part of this project, funded by FORMAS, we determined using machine learning that the main drivers of present-day sea level variability around Northern Europe were the local winds.

In the second part, also supported by FORMAS, using an ensemble of climate model projections and various downscaling methods, you will determine the future winds around northern Europe; how and why their extremes have changed and will change; and use their relationship with sea level to project flooding risks.

Job assignments

You will be responsible for the climate model data analysis. You, most likely together with a master’s student under your supervision, will:

1) Evaluate the suitability of a series of climate models to study winds over Northern Europe;

2) Quantify the contribution of the factors that have affected recent changes in wind and sea level;

3) Use the downscaling method of your choice, e.g., by identifying emergent constraints, to predict changes in wind speed and extreme wind events in the coming decades over Northern Europe; 

4) Contribute to producing flood or wind energy generation predictions, or any other information of interest to the projects, society, and you.

As postdocs are expected to conduct independent research to secure permanent positions, we are open to you using different methods than those listed above, based on your experiences and interests. 

You are expected to publish your findings in English-speaking high-quality journals and attend relevant national and international conferences. Funding has already been secured for these activities.

Efforts towards supervising your own BSc or Master’s students, developing your pedagogic qualifications, outreach, and writing your own proposals, will be encouraged and supported. Note that you do not need to speak Swedish but will be supported if you want to learn the language.

Requirements

You can apply if:

• You have been awarded a PhD less than three years ago (no earlier than 1^st April 2021) or will have received your PhD latest by 31^st July 2024;
• Your PhD was in a relevant subject in applied engineering and/or physical sciences (climatology, physical oceanography and/or meteorology), through which you obtained skills in climate data analysis;
• Your expertise includes handling and analysing extensive spatial datasets, using advanced statistical and/or machine learning methods, coupled with proficiency in a programming or scripting language like Matlab, Python or R;
• You authored a monograph, peer-reviewed publications in non-predatory English-speaking journals, or technical reports where climate model output and advanced climate data analysis tools were used to investigate a research question;
• You can communicate in English, verbally and in writing, at a level suitable for working in an international environment.

 Previous experience with satellite altimetry data and/or high-resolution atmospheric reanalysis is a merit.

Employment 

The position is a temporary employment for two years with the extent of 100 % at the Department of Earth Sciences. Extension for a third year is possible but dependent on performance and the availability of funding. First day of employment will be as agreed, however we would like to see this happen in September-October 2024.

For further information regarding the position

Project leader (climate models, sea level), Dr Céline Heuzé celine.heuze@gu.se

Project leader (wind), Prof Deliang Chen deliang@gvc.gu.se 

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande  

Application 

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. The application must contain:

• a personal letter (max 2 pages) with an explanation of why you are applying,
• a CV (max 2 pages) with a publication list (no page limit), and the name and contact details of two reference persons, where one should be your PhD supervisor.
• A certificate confirming your PhD defence date if you have not obtained your PhD yet.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The selection of candidates is made based on the qualifications registered in the application.

Do not email your application to Céline Heuzé or Deliang Chen. Only the applications submitted via the only recruitment system will be considered.

Applications must be received by: 20 May 2024

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.