Postdoc: Extreme winds and future sea level
University of Gothenburg
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Ocean Sciences (OS)
The future Northern Europe coast: stormier, more flooded?
Climate change is a reality that can no longer be denied. Coastal cities around the world must prepare for sea level rise and catastrophic flooding during storms. And you can help!
In the first part of this project, funded by FORMAS, we determined using machine learning that the main drivers of present-day sea level variability around Northern Europe were the local winds.
In the second part, also supported by FORMAS, using an ensemble of climate model projections and various downscaling methods, you will determine the future winds around northern Europe; how and why their extremes have changed and will change; and use their relationship with sea level to project flooding risks.
Job assignments
You will be responsible for the climate model data analysis. You, most likely together with a master’s student under your supervision, will:
1) Evaluate the suitability of a series of climate models to study winds over Northern Europe;
2) Quantify the contribution of the factors that have affected recent changes in wind and sea level;
3) Use the downscaling method of your choice, e.g., by identifying emergent constraints, to predict changes in wind speed and extreme wind events in the coming decades over Northern Europe;
4) Contribute to producing flood or wind energy generation predictions, or any other information of interest to the projects, society, and you.
As postdocs are expected to conduct independent research to secure permanent positions, we are open to you using different methods than those listed above, based on your experiences and interests.
You are expected to publish your findings in English-speaking high-quality journals and attend relevant national and international conferences. Funding has already been secured for these activities.
Efforts towards supervising your own BSc or Master’s students, developing your pedagogic qualifications, outreach, and writing your own proposals, will be encouraged and supported. Note that you do not need to speak Swedish but will be supported if you want to learn the language.
Requirements
You can apply if:
- You have been awarded a PhD less than three years ago (no earlier than 1st April 2021) or will have received your PhD latest by 31st July 2024;
- Your PhD was in a relevant subject in applied engineering and/or physical sciences (climatology, physical oceanography and/or meteorology), through which you obtained skills in climate data analysis;
- Your expertise includes handling and analysing extensive spatial datasets, using advanced statistical and/or machine learning methods, coupled with proficiency in a programming or scripting language like Matlab, Python or R;
- You authored a monograph, peer-reviewed publications in non-predatory English-speaking journals, or technical reports where climate model output and advanced climate data analysis tools were used to investigate a research question;
- You can communicate in English, verbally and in writing, at a level suitable for working in an international environment.
Employment
The position is a temporary employment for two years with the extent of 100 % at the Department of Earth Sciences. Extension for a third year is possible but dependent on performance and the availability of funding. First day of employment will be as agreed, however we would like to see this happen in September-October 2024.
Click here for more information about the position and for the link to apply
You can email questions to Céline Heuzé or Deliang Chen, the two mentors, but do not email them your application. Only applications submitted via the official portal (link above) can be considered.