Ph.D. position in Arctic atmospheric modeling

The section Physics of the Atmosphere at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Potsdam, Germany, invites applications for a PhD position (m/f/d) funded within the Transregional Collaborative Research Center TR172 on “ArctiC Amplification: Climate Relevant Atmospheric and SurfaCe Processes, and Feedback Mechanisms (AC)³” (www.ac3-tr.de) by the German Research Foundation (DFG, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft). Within the TR172, AWI together with the collaboration partners (Universities of Leipzig, Cologne and Bremen, TROPOS) aim to better observe, understand, and simulate processes leading to the current drastic climate changes in the Arctic. Specifically, the title of the PhD project at AWI is: Moisture intrusions into the Arctic: Process understanding and impacts Focus of this PhD project will be the systematic assessment of anomalous atmospheric moisture transport into the Arctic, related processes and its climate impacts. Moisture intrusions contribute to Arctic amplification due to the modification of longwave downward radiation and cloud radiative effects. To better understand these processes and their impact on the surface energy budget, limited-area ICON model simulations are performed and reanalysis and observational data are analyzed. The latter include the exploitation of water vapour, cloud and radiation information from in-situ measurements and satellite data. The analysis includes on the one hand individual events during the MOSAiC expedition and on the other hand long-term characteristics of different seasons and regions in the Arctic. High-resolution modeling will be applied to analyse and understand paths and transformation of air masses during moisture intrusion events into the Arctic. Overall, the objectives of the dissertation include: (i) performance and evaluation of the ICON-NWP model applied on an Arctic-focussed domain, (ii) sensitivity studies to clarifying atmospheric and surface factors (e.g. sea ice edge) important for air mass transport and transformation, (iii) quantification of surface and tropospheric warming in the Arctic related with anomalous moisture transport. Requirements Diploma/M.Sc. degree in meteorology, physics, oceanography, geosciences, or related fields. Good skills in statistical data analysis and scientific programming (R, Python, Fortran, C, Matlab, or similar). Good English language skills are expected. Interest in atmospheric physics and dynamics is expected. Experience in climate modelling, working with reanalysis and climate model data, and working with Unix-like operating systems is an advantage. Further Information For further information please contact Dr. Annette Rinke (Annette.Rinke@awi.de, +49(331)288-2130). The position is limited to 3 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the German Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes (TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13 (66%). The place of employment will be Potsdam. The targeted starting date is 1st June 2021. Please forward your application by 11th April, 2021 exclusively online. Reference number: 21/72/D/Kli-b https://www.awi.de/arbeiten-lernen/jobs/stellenangebote.html https://www.awi.de/en/work-study/jobs/job-offer.html This characterizes AWI our scientific success - excellent research. collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI. a culture of reconciling work and family – audited, and even more than that. our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more. an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world. having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance flat hierarchies – freedom and responsibility. exciting topics – also in technology, administration and infrastructure. Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy and we encourage women to apply. As Ph.D. student at AWI you will be member of the Helmholtz Graduate School for Polar and Marine Research ‘POLMAR’ (_http://polmar.awi.de _) or another graduate school. Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”. We look forward to your application!