Scientist – explaining and predicting climate extremes
ECMWF, Reading (UK) or Bonn (Germany)
Closing date: 14 April 2024
ECMWF is looking for a motivated scientist to conduct research on advancing the understanding of the mechanisms by which physical processes govern regional climate changes on interannual to multi-decadal time scales. The research will address fundamental knowledge gaps related to atmospheric circulation in the extratropics and their links to tropical sources which represents major limitations in current prediction and projections, in particular for understanding changes in European summer hazards like heat waves, drought and precipitation extremes.
The work will involve conducting targeted numerical experimentation with the ECMWF coupled forecasting systems as well as developing and applying innovative diagnostic tools, e.g. exploring suitable explainable AI methods, to attribute regional circulation changes. The research will be carried out in collaboration with other teams within the Earth System Predictability Section, in the ECMWF research department.
ECMWF delivers operational numerical weather and climate forecasts to its stakeholders on a range of time scales, including for several seasons up to one year in advance. With the climate system rapidly changing and some regions experiencing increases in extremes beyond what prediction models simulate, trustworthy assessments and predictions of such changes will need to be developed. An integral part of these developments is the capability to attribute changes to physical processes that govern these changes.
Contract Duration: 25 months, with possibility of extension (subject to funding)
Location: Reading, UK or Bonn, Germany
Starting date: As soon as possible