Research Fellow in Climate Dynamics

We are seeking to recruit a Research Fellow in Climate Dynamics to become a member of the School of Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton. The successful candidate will be part of the ‘Accurate projections of climate recovery from a combination of historical data, simple models and AI’ Future Leaders Fellowship project, which seeks to develop new modelling methods that combine historical climate data, simple physics-based models, and AI to deliver more accurate projections of how our climate will warm and recover in a net-zero future.

As part of this project, you will contribute to develop observation-constrained reduced-order models to reproduce ESM simulations. You will first analyse state-of-the-art Earth System Model (ESM) simulations and diagnose underlying processes for inter-model differences. Then you will use diagnosed processes to build reduced-order models and constrain model parameters using historical instrumental and palaeo-proxy records via Bayesian methods. The successful applicant will join the ocean and climate physics group at Southampton. You will have the opportunity to engage with the vibrant oceanographic and climate science community at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and the National Oceanography Centre, working closely with our national and international partners. By joining us, you’ll contribute to the next generation of climate modelling tools that integrate data and physics to deliver more accurate projections.

The post is a fixed-term appointment for 36 months (3 years), with the possibility of extension for up to one additional year, and is part of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project awarded to Dr Duo Chan.

About You

We invite applications from candidates holding a PhD (or equivalent) in climate science or a related field, with experience in designing and conducting climate model simulations and analysing large volumes of ESM simulations. Knowledge of reduced-order modelling and Bayesian inference is highly valued, and experience with climate mitigation scenarios is preferred. Applicants should demonstrate strong knowledge of statistics and large-scale climate dynamics, excellent quantitative and problem-solving skills, and effective communication abilities.

What can we offer you

We are an ambitious, mutually supportive academic community and are passionate about creating an environment where everyone can achieve their full potential in education, research and enterprise. We hold a departmental Athena SWAN bronze award and an institutional silver award. We value diversity and equality and recognise that employees may wish to have working patterns that fit with their caring responsibilities or work-life balance. Due consideration will be given to applicants who have had career breaks for reasons including maternity, paternity or adoption leave, disability, or illness. We offer a generous holiday allowance and additional University closure days, subsidised health and fitness facilities and access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). We are committed to supporting early career researchers as outlined by the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

 For informal inquiries please contact Dr. Duo Chan (Duo.Chan@soton.ac.uk).

Advert information