Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Atmospheric Dynamics and S2S Prediction)

Full-time fixed term role (up to 50 months).

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

Closing date: 3rd July 2025
Interviews will be held: 15th July 2025

The Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading is seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Scientist to undertake research isolating and understanding the most predictable components of the atmosphere and improving their representation in sub-seasonal prediction. The project takes a novel approach to the diagnosis of global analysis and S2S forecast data which is motivated by theory for the dynamics of large-scale atmospheric wave activity. We will identify mode-like structures that dominate observed variability in analyses and models, where each mode has an intrinsic frequency predicted from its spatial structure. We will explore the link between these intrinsic properties, long-term evolution, atmospheric predictability and the ability of models to make sub-seasonal predictions.

This role is funded by the research programme on Advancing the Frontiers of Earth System Prediction (AFESP) - a £30million 15-year investment by the University of Reading, in partnership with the European Centre for Medium-Range Forecasts (ECMWF), the UK Met Office and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science. It will deliver sustained investments to tackle some of the far-term (10–15 year) and difficult (high-risk, high-reward) research challenges in global Earth System prediction.

The project contributes to the overall goals of the AFESP programme (https://research.reading.ac.uk/earth-system-prediction/), in the challenge “predicting the Earth System up to the sub-seasonal range”.

In this job you will:

• Conduct research centred on large-scale atmospheric dynamics, the intrinsic properties of modal dynamics and nonlinear interaction, diagnosis of global models and research leading towards the improvement of sub-seasonal prediction.
• Apply theory in the implementation of numerical diagnostics extracting the background state and mode-like elements of variability. The methods will be applied to re-analysis and S2S ensemble forecast data from ECMWF and the Met Office.
• Perform numerical calculations and also the implementation of experimental runs with the ECMWF and Met Office models, working with co-investigators at those centres.
• Attend, contribute to, and organise relevant project meetings.
• Report on progress and results of the research through appropriate methods, including papers for submission to scientific journals, presentation of results at conferences and workshops, etc.
• Liaise with collaborators from other parts of the AFESP programme on a regular basis, including travel to visit project partners as required.

Contact details for advert
Contact Name John Methven
Contact Job Title Professor
Contact Email address j.methven@reading.ac.uk

Alternative Contact Name Tom Frame
Alternative Contact Job Title Lecturer
Alternative Contact Email address t.h.a.frame@reading.ac.uk

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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