Research Associate in Atmospheric Dynamics -Fixed Term Contract (CT6602)

We would like to recruit a Research Associate to investigate the formation and development of sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). These are some of the most dramatic events in the entire atmosphere, where over just a few days the jet stream stops and sometimes even reverses, and the temperature of the polar stratosphere shoots up by as much as 50ºC. 

SSWs are a frequent cause of extreme winter weather in densely-populated regions such as Europe and North America. They occur on average twice every three winter, but may occur several times in one winter and then not at all for years afterwards. Forecasting them more than a few days in advance is extremely difficult, and their weather effects are also very difficult to predict - while (for example) the 'Beast From The East' of February 2018 in Europe and the 'Polar Vortex Winters' of  2014 and 2019 in the eastern United States were caused by SSWs, SSWs can often occur with no effect on the surface.  

As part of the Natural Environment Research Council-funded PEGASUS project, you'll study state-of-the-art satellite and ground-based measurements and leading reanalysis models to test a novel theory of how SSWs form and develop. Based on the results of this, you'll then have the opportunity to help guide modelling work at our collaborator institutions, to both better understand SSW dynamics at a fundamental scientific level and to improve our predictions of their effects.

This is a research project of up to 3 years in duration, based in the World Heritage City of Bath (UK), but with opportunities for travel, both for international conferences and to our collaborator institutions.  You'll will work primarily with Dr Corwin Wright and Prof Nick Mitchell at Bath, but also with project partners Dr Dann Mitchell (Bristol University), Prof Gavin Esler (University College London) and Dr Lars Hoffmann (Forschungszentrum Juelich). 

This fixed term post is full time (36 hours per week) and will be available from June 2019. 

Please address any enquiries to Dr Corwin Wright (c.wright@bath.ac.uk).

Closing Date: 16 Apr 2019
Type: Education & Research