The British Antarctic Survey are looking for a Climate Storyline Analyst to assist on the UKRI-BAS work required for Work Package 1 of the EU Horizon 2020 funded research project Polar Regions in the Earth System: Role of local regional scale processes in the changing polar and global climate systems (PolarRES).
Who we are
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know-how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world-leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs.
British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org We employ experts from many different professions to carry out our Science as well as to keep the lights on, feed the research and support teams, and keep everyone safe! If you are looking for an opportunity to work with amazing people in amazing places, then British Antarctic Survey could be for you. We aim to attract the best people for those jobs.
Purpose
To undertake the majority of the UKRI-BAS work required for Work Package 1 of the EU Horizon 2020 funded research project Polar Regions in the Earth System: Role of local regional scale processes in the changing polar and global climate systems (PolarRES). In short, this Work Package will
- develop storylines based on physically consistent future changes in atmospheric and ocean circulation using existing CMIP6 data resources and infrastructure,
- investigate the impacts of these storylines in both Polar Regions and lower latitudes (including teleconnections), and
- provide guidance on the chosen storylines for further detailed investigation in other Work Packages.
The successful candidate will work with international partners to complete the work required, in particular to help produce a key deliverable in October 2022, which is to provide guidance on using CMIP6 simulations for further storyline investigations in other WPs through both a report and via a workshop with other PolarRES partners. While the post will nominally be looking at storylines in both polar regions, the make-up of the Work Package personnel means it will likely focus on the Southern Hemisphere (SH).
Qualification
PhD in atmospheric or environmental sciences or equivalent experience.
Duties
- Develop and analyze potential storylines using the end of century (2071-2100) highemission SSP5-8.5 CMIP6 ensemble of climate simulations. For the Southern Hemisphere, these are: SH1a Strong positive Southern Annular Mode (SAM) response, SH1b Weak positive/negative SAM response, SH2a Strong sea-ice decline and SH2b Weak sea-ice decline. The methodology includes requirements to: Investigate the impacts of these storylines, paying special attention to changes in circulation variability important for interactions between polar and midlatitudes.
Undertake a multi-model assessment of changes in wave fluxes and link these to changes in the above-mentioned circulation phenomena.
Document the ability of the climate models representing each storyline to simulate the key associated dynamical processes (as determined from the previous analyses) in the present climate by comparing model simulations with reanalyses.
Based on an analysis of the model biases, advise on the reliability of these model projections and thus on the probability of each storyline. - Interact with the other scientists involved in Work Package 1 as appropriate.
- Attend and contribute to project meetings.
- Contribute to the writing of two papers.
- Lead the BAS component of the key deliverable Guidance on using CMIP6 simulations for further storyline investigations in other WPs provided both as a report and via a mini-workshop with other PolarRES partners’, which is required in October 2022.
Please quote reference for any queries: BAS 21/141
Publication date: 19 October 2021
Closing date for receipt of application forms is: 14 November 2021
Interviews are scheduled to be held on: 02 December 2021
Communication skills – a) oral skills b) written skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills. Fluent in written and spoken English. –Â Essential
- Track record of publishing in quality peer-reviewed literature. – Desirable [1]
Computer / IT skills
- Experience in using Linux/Unix environments for data analysis. –Â Essential
- Experience using data processing and visualisation software such as Python, MatLab or IDL –Â Essential
Decision Making
- Ability to show initiative and to tackle problems independently. –Â Essential
Interpersonal skills
- Able to work as part of a team as required. –Â Essential
- Ability to work collaboratively with researchers at other institutions, particularly internationally. – Desirable [1]
Managerial ability
- Demonstrable ability to manage self and resources to meet agreed objectives and deadlines. –Â Essential
Numerical ability
- Excellent numerical skills. – Desirable [0]
Qualifications
- PhD in atmospheric or environmental sciences or equivalent experience. –Â Essential
Skills / Experience
- Experience processing and utilising climate model output –Â Essential
- Strong understanding of both broadscale polar climate/meteorology and key regional processes –Â Essential
- Experience accessing and manipulating CMIP data on JASMIN – Desirable [1]
For application and further information, please follow this link.