Research Fellow in Contrail Climate Impacts

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263, with potential progression once in post to £46,974

Background

The Project:

Aviation is one of the most important economic sector, and is expected to steadily grow by 4-5% per year. If aviation emissions growth is unmitigated, it could contribute 4-15% of emission budget in 2050 for a 2 ^oC target. However, while CO₂ is the focus in international agreements, aviation’s climate warming and uncertainty are both dominated (> 50%) by contrail cirrus. Therefore, it is vital to “quantify and reduce aviation contrail radiative forcing (QR-CODE)”.

This project QR-CODE is co-funded by UK NERC and Department of Transport UK as part of the highlighted topic JetZero, which extensively engages industry and policymakers to maximize the impacts of outcome in real world. QR-CODE involves researchers from the University of Exeter, University of Reading, University of Oxford, ETH Zurich, Met Office, NASA, Rolls-Royce, and ETS-Aero Ltd. Our outcomes will reduce the uncertainty range of aviation impacts on climate warming, and support the strategy of Net-Zero.   

The post:

Two full-time positions are available for the QR-CODE project, with a negotiable start date in Autumn of 2024.

These two posts will use novel AI and machine-learning approaches to further the research of Chen et al. (2022 & 2024, Nature Geoscience) on advancing our understanding of aviation’s impact on contrail and nature cirrus. Satellite remote sensing, cloud image and computer vision will be used in conjunction with meteorological reanalysis and weather model to understand the favourite meteorology conditions for contrails and develop tools and strategies to mitigate aviation warming.

What we can offer you:

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;
• Our support for high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• A multitude of staff benefits, flexible and family friendly working culture, details here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/jobs/staff-benefits
• A beautiful campus set in the vibrant Birmingham, with exceptional convenient and diverse choices of commute.

Role Summary

• Use AI or computer vision to detect line-shaped contrails from satellite images (Post1)
• Use machine-learning to disentangle aviation’s impacts on natural cirrus (Post2)
• Estimate of climate radiative forcing of contrails and cirrus
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Work together with modellers to improve ice-cloud simulation and develop contrail predictors

Person Specification

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD (or close to completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants should have a deep interest in climate change. Applicants will be proficient in coding in high level computing languages, such as Python, Matlab or R. 

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Ying Chen: y.chen.21@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the Apply button.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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