MSc/PhD Student Opportunity: Urban Environment Parameterization Development for Climate Models

University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Closing date not provided

The University of Victoria is seeking a motivated MSc or PhD student to contribute to the development of urban environment parameterizations for the Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM) and to assess the influence of urban areas on the climate system starting 1 September 2025. This position is a collaboration between the University of Victoria and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and will be based out of the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria, located Victoria, BC.

Climate models play a critical role in informing climate adaptation and response policies. Although over 80% of Canada’s population resides in urban environments, the current version of CanESM does not include a representation of urban parameterizations. Urban areas significantly alter surface characteristics, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, and hydrology. This project will focus on developing and integrating urban parameterizations into CanESM and evaluating their impact on the climate system. The successful candidate will work within a larger team of climate model developers at the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma), with the goal of implementing these improvements into future operational versions of CanESM.

 Candidate Qualifications:

  • Bright, self-motivated, and effective communicator
  • Strong background in physics, mathematics, and computer programming
  • Ability to think logically, work independently, and conduct detailed computational analyses
  • Comfort with scientific programming
  • Experience with Fortran, Python, and high-performance computing (HPC) systems is an asset

 To Apply or Learn More:
Please contact Dr. Carsten Abraham at carsten.abraham@ec.gc.ca.

 Application Review:
Applications will be reviewed starting June 1, 2025, and will be accepted until the position is filled. Most international students should take the GRE and may be required to demonstrate English proficiency through tests such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB.

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