Postdoctoral Fellowship in Global Climate Modelling

Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences 

• Full-time at 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Fixed-Term position (3 years; start date negotiable between 1 August–1 Nov 2023) 

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

We welcome applications for a postdoctoral research position focused on modeling airborne microplastics and their influence on global climate. This is a three-year, full-time research position supported by the prestigious Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden fund; the project summary is below. You will be encouraged to grow and flourish as a researcher, to pursue independent research, and to mentor more junior colleagues in areas of your skillsets and expertise.

Project summary:

Microplastics are in the air we breathe and influence climate on a global scale by absorbing and scattering light. They are also ubiquitous in the world's oceans, with an estimated 15-51 trillion microplastic particles floating at the sea surface globally. Recent research indicates that microplastics are emitted from the ocean to the atmosphere, and seed cloud formation. Both processes are relevant to climate change, however their impacts cannot be accounted for because global climate models do not represent these newly-discovered processes. Our team, comprising internationally-leading experts in atmospheric and oceanic microplastic modelling, will provide the first integrated assessment of how plastic litter could affect 21st century climate change. We will implement microplastic-cloud interactions and ocean-atmosphere fluxes of microplastics in a global climate model. Atmospheric and oceanic microplastic concentrations will be obtained from a global microplastic dispersion model constrained by observations, and an ocean biogeochemistry-microplastic model, respectively. We aim to quantify the radiative forcing associated with microplastic-rich clouds, and will investigate future climate effects from marine microplastic pollution. Assuming a hypothetical cessation in new plastic production, we will investigate how much microplastic-induced climate change is already ‘locked in’ from accumulated oceanic plastic pollution and ocean-atmosphere microplastic exchange.

Mōu | Who You Are

You should have completed a PhD in atmospheric physics, chemistry (or a related discipline) by your start date. Demonstrated experience in running climate models and working on high performance computing systems is essential. Expertise in modelling aerosols, clouds, or aerosol-cloud interactions is desirable. This position is ideal for a researcher who is excited to work in a novel and rapidly emerging field of research. Strong communication skills (written, oral) in English are essential. 

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

You will work with the University of Canterbury (UC) Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate group in Christchurch, who are led by Associate Professor Laura Revell, in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences | Te Kura Matū. The group are a mix of postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students, with expertise in global climate modelling and measurement and analysis of airborne microplastics^1,2. For this project you will also work with collaborators at the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU, Norway), and GNS Science (New Zealand). 

UC has a rapidly expanding network of atmospheric science-related research groups across physics, chemistry and geography, and existing collaborations with related groups nationally and internationally. Christchurch | Ōtautahi is a pleasant city with easy access to nearby mountains and coast.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora - Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference.

Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury stands for whanaungatanga - we value people and their differences, manaakitanga - we extend care and empower others, and tiakitanga - we will enhance and nurture our resources.

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

What we offer

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• relocation support
• generous annual leave provisions
• flexible working arrangements
• supportive working environment
• professional development and study opportunities
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as the recreation centre and Staff club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information on our Benefits, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/

The salary for this position is $80,000.

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit www.canterbury.ac.nz

The closing date for this position is: 28 February 2023 (midnight, NZ time)

Applications will be reviewed after the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted, by clicking the ‘Apply’ button and should include a cover letter (describing background, suitability for the position, your recent research projects) and curriculum vitae which includes a list of relevant research publications and experience with programming languages and climate modelling. 

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Dr Laura Revell (laura.revell@canterbury.ac.nz) with any questions; please subject the email ‘Marsden-funded postdoc in climate modelling’.