Senior Postdoctoral Fellow in Climate Science for Energy Systems

Lead the next generation of energy-climate research: understanding climate risks in decarbonising energy systems

Energy systems around the world are changing.  Many of these changes – particularly the shift to low-carbon renewables – increase the exposure of these systems to weather.  At the same time, a changing and uncertain future climate leads to new risks in power system operation and infrastructure planning.  Quantitative methods to assess these risks remain, however, under-developed and research is urgently needed to develop a deeper understanding of how climate risk impacts the energy sector.

The Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow will directly address this challenge.  Working in close collaboration with two world-leading research organisations (the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology and EPRI’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation Initiative, Climate READi), the Fellow will develop advanced new techniques to support climate risk assessment in the energy sector. This will include a novel programme of research examining:

1. the drivers and characteristics of extreme and compound meteorological stress events, and
2. the development of “Storyline” methodologies to manage future climate risk in power systems. 

The Fellow will take an active role in engaging across traditional disciplines, developing and promoting the understanding of their science externally in both academia and industry.

This is a senior postdoctoral position and it is anticipated that you will benefit from having a high degree of independence within the project.  As part of the project, you will have the opportunity to develop your own research agenda (aligned with the goals of the project), and actively encouraged to develop your leadership skills and external profile. 

You will be supported in your research and career development by supervisors from both institutions (EPRI and the Department of Meteorology).  You will be based in the Department of Meteorology (in the University of Reading) and become part of the Energy-Meteorology research group which has been at the forefront of modelling and understanding climate risk in energy systems for over a decade.  As part of a world-leading Meteorological research department (over 200 academics, ranked 4th in the world for Atmospheric Science) you will also benefit from close relationships to the UK Met Office, ECMWF, and the National Centres for Atmospheric Science and Earth Observation.

Full time fixed term post for a term of 2 years starting on or before the 30th June 2023. 

You will have:

• excellent scientific research skills and a high-quality publication record commensurate with experience;
• a PhD in a quantitative physical or mathematical science and significant relevant postdoctoral research experience (or equivalent);
• excellent knowledge of weather & climate science and its application to the study of environmental risk;
• a demonstrated ability to handle and analyse large & complex climate model datasets; and
• good communication skills and a willingness to engage in interdisciplinary research.

Interviews will take place on either Monday 24th April or Friday 28th April (1400-1700 UK time, UTC+1).

It is anticipated that you will be physically based at the University of Reading but with considerable flexibility offered consistent with the University’s ‘smart working’ policy.  Requests for formal and substantial ‘flexible working’ arrangements can be discussed on request.

Informal contact details

Contact role: Line manager / principal investigator
Contact name: David Brayshaw
Contact phone: +44 118 5585
Contact email: d.j.brayshaw@reading.ac.uk

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

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