Back to search results
Header Image

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Global Climate Modelling

University of Canterbury, New Zealand

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 microplastics1,2. 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’.

Location: Christchurch - New Zealand
Salary: NZ$80,000
£41,950.40 converted salary* per annum
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On: 17th January 2023
Closes: 28th February 2023
 
   
We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback
Show all jobs for University of Canterbury, New Zealand …
Advert information

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):

* Salary has been converted at the prevailing rate on the date placed
Job tools
 

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Ok Ok

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

Request verification email Request verification email

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Create Account Create Account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Ok Ok

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

 
 

Browser Upgrade Recommended

jobs.ac.uk has been optimised for the latest browsers.

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Google Chrome Firefox Microsoft Edge