Postdoctoral Fellow in Stratospheric Dynamics and Turbulence
Department of Meteorology, Stockholm University
The Department of Meteorology at Stockholm University (MISU) conducts research and education spanning the atmosphere, ocean and physical climate sciences. We offer educational programmes at the Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels. Our research addresses fundamental questions concerning the dynamics, physics, chemistry and biogeochemistry of the atmosphere and ocean relevant for weather and climate. We study questions originating from the deep ocean to the upper atmosphere and from the tropics to the poles. In this effort, we use and develop theory, statistical methods, and numerical models in close interplay with observations. We also develop and lead observational research using satellite and surface-based measurements, including icebreaker expeditions to the Arctic.
MISU is embedded in a larger research environment including the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, the Baltic Sea Centre, and the Swedish e-Science Research Centre. The department is highly international, with over half our employees coming from outside Sweden. For more information about us, please visit: Department of Meteorology.
Homepage: https://www.su.se/misu
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Project description
Turbulence is a fundamental feature of atmospheric flow that transfers heat and momentum across scales. Turbulence constantly churns the atmosphere close to Earth’s surface, in the planetary boundary layer. In the stratosphere, turbulence is rarer, more intermittent and more challenging to predict and model. We seek to understand how large-scale processes in the atmosphere control when and where bursts of stratospheric turbulence occur. We also seek to evaluate the representation of stratospheric turbulence in global atmospheric models, where the mostly non-turbulent stratosphere is often modelled using equations built for the constantly churning boundary layer.
Main responsibilities
The postdoctoral researcher will have the flexibility to shape their own project within the two broad project goals and to take an observations-based or modelling-based approach, or to combine the two. Likely tools for an observations-based approach include in-situ data from aircraft, rockets and balloons. A modelling approach would likely focus on km-scale global simulations, especially from ICON and IFS, and the soon-to-be-released ERA6 reanalysis. Simulations useful for analysis are already available so the successful candidate will not need to run models themselves unless they want to setup a new modelling experiment.
Research tasks include the analysis of observations and/or model output, building and maintaining collaborations, visualizing and presenting scientific results, and preparing scientific publications. The successful candidate will join a newly established group at MISU and will thus receive a high degree of individualized support. If desired, the PI will provide guidance for the successful candidate to seek independent funding.