Postdoc position in the field of palaeoclimate modelling

Join the Horizon-Europe project PAST TO FUTURE: TOWARDS FULLY PALEO-INFORMED FUTURE CLIMATE PROJECTIONS (P2F), a European multidisciplinary consortium uniting mathematicians, physicists, geologists, (palaeo)biologists, and archaeologists. We have joined forces to make the most optimal use of past climatic conditions to better understand Earth’s climate response to different kinds of forcing, with a focus on potential abrupt climatic transitions and the crossing of tipping points.

Your job

You will mainly work with long simulations (e.g. glacial-interglacial cycles and the Pliocene) using “fast Earth System Models” to investigate how climate sensitivity varies over time due to variable strength of feedbacks and whether extremes in climate sensitivity are associated with high probability of tipping events. The aim is to provide new estimates of climate response near tipping points, informing future environmental boundaries.

Additionally, you’ll use the more complex Earth System Model CESM – informed by paleodata within P2F – to run future projections to understand the climate sensitivity in those models. This role aligns with the P2F scientific theme: “Theory: analysis, validation and methods” with links to “Earth system model evaluation and improvement”.

Your qualities

We are looking for an ambitious and driven candidate who has:

• A PhD in physics, applied mathematics, meteorology, geosciences or a related field.
• Strong scientific programming skills and expertise in numerical / statistical analysis of simulated and observed data.
• Experience with Earth System Modeling and climate model output analyses, in particular with Earth System Models of Intermediate Complexity.
• Experience with the CESM or another CMIP model.
• Experience with proxy data and palaeoclimate model-data comparison.
• Basic knowledge of (geophysical) fluid dynamics.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Our offer

• the opportunity to work in and with a team of leading experts within a large consortium;
• a position for 2 years;
• a full-time working week and a gross monthly salary between € 3.546 and €5.538 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Working at the Faculty of Science means bringing together inspiring people across disciplines and with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. The Faculty has six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information & Computing Sciences, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together, we work on excellent research and inspiring education. We do so, driven by curiosity and supported by outstanding infrastructure. Visit us on LinkedIn and discover how you can become part of our community.

You will be working within the Oceans and Climate group at The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU) in a team of postdocs, PhD students and MSc students. Embedded within the Department of Physics, IMAU offers a unique research and teaching environment, in which the fundamentals of the climate system are studied. Research is organized in five themes: Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry, Coastal and Shelf Sea Dynamics, Ice and Climate and Oceans and Climate. In 2017, IMAU research quality and impact were qualified as 'world leading' by an international visitation committee. Currently, IMAU employs 18 faculty members and 12 support staff and about 24 Postdocs and 21 PhD students, and offers a friendly, open and international atmosphere.

More information

For more information, please contact one of the members of the selection committee:
Prof. Anna von der Heydt - A.S.vonderHeydt@uu.nl
Prof. Henk Dijkstra - H.A.Dijkstra@uu.nl
Dr. Michiel Baatsen M.L.J.Baatsen@uu.nl

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to science.recruitment@uu.nl.

We aim to conduct interviews in August, with a preferred start date of 1 october.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the "Apply now" button! Please enclose:

• your letter of motivation;
• your Curriculum vitae;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references;
• a copy of your PhD certificate, or a letter from your university stating when your defence will take place.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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