Senior Research Associate in Firn Modelling

Increasing occurrences and intensities of weather and climate extremes are a visible manifestation of climate change, with major impacts on the natural environment and society. AEWE can cause elevated air temperature and snowfall - both important controls on firn depth and density - and they have global implications through detrimental impacts on ice shelf stability and sea-ice cover. Improved projections of how AEWE, their drivers and their impacts may change under a warming climate is therefore crucial to understanding future ice loss and global sea level rise. In this project we will perform a systematic assessment of the role of AEWE on firn evolution using the community firn model, and perform forward simulations forced by RCM output to examine the role of future extremes on ice shelf viability.

Lancaster University is a UK top 15 university in three major league tables. LEC is the largest department, and is one of the most prestigious groupings of environmental researchers in Europe. Polar Science is a major research theme and the polar science group is renowned for research excellence and has extensive involvement in major national and international research projects.
Role.

You will conduct research as part of a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded project: ‘Processes, Impacts, and Changes of ANTarctic Extreme weather (PICANTE)’ supervised by Dr Amber Leeson. PICANTE partners include the Universities of Sheffield, Lincoln and Exeter, Imperial College and the British Antarctic Survey.

Specific activities:

• Perform simulations using the Community Firn Model over selected ice shelves for 1979-2019 period.
• Use these data with an existing inventory of AEWEs to investigate 1) the direct impact of AEWE on firn properties following an extreme melt event, 2) the cumulative effect of AEWE on long-term firn pore space and 3) the extent to which AEWEs precondition the firn layer for future saturation.
• Statistical emulation will constrain uncertainty and identify priorities for future model development.
• Forward simulations will be performed under two possible storylines; high (low) sea ice loss plus weak (strong) strengthening of the stratospheric polar vortex.

Where appropriate you will:

• Disseminate project results at national/international meetings and learn about current advances in the field.
• Write research papers.
• Assist with a small amount of undergraduate teaching in Environmental Science.
• Assist with mentoring junior team members e.g. PhD students.

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