Postdoc position in the Field of Climate Dynamics (1.0 FTE), Utrecht University, Netherlands, Europe

Last Date: 8 January 2024.

Job description

We are looking for a postdoc with an interest in climate dynamics to join the Horizon-Europe project Climtip (climate tipping points: uncertainty-aware quantification of earth system tipping potential from observations and models and assessment of associated climatic, ecological, and socioeconomic impacts), within a large European consortium.

Your research will focus on two subjects:

  • the efficient determination of tipping behaviour in Earth System Models (ESMs), particularly on how to identify multi-stable regimes in these models; and
  • on the application of rare event techniques to tipping in ESMs. One key goal here is to develop techniques to efficiently determine transition pathways using advanced Machine Learning techniques. Additionally, the application of these techniques will be extended to more detailed climate models, in determining transition probabilities of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and the Subpolar Gyre.

Qualifications

Feeling driven and ambitious to work on this project? Check if you have multiple if not all of the following qualifications:

  • a PhD in physics, applied mathematics, meteorology, geosciences or a related field;
  • excellent skills in scientific programming and numerical / statistical analysis of simulated and observed data;
  • experience with machine learning applications;
  • experience with climate modeling and climate model output analyses;
  • basic knowledge of (geophysical) fluid dynamics.

We are looking for a colleague who demonstrates motivation and a strong eagerness to learn, and who can work independently as well as part of a team.

Offer

We offer:

  • the opportunity to work in and with a team of leading experts;
  • a position for two years;
  • a full-time gross salary ranging from €3,226 to €5,090 in scale 10 of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (CAO);
  • 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
  • a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions external link based on the CAO.

In addition to the employment conditions 

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 from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development 

external link, leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes external link and you get discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow. For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University external link.

About the organisation

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University 

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, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes 

external link. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Shaping science, sharing tomorrow external link.

At the Faculty of Science 

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, there are 6 departments to make a fundamental connection with: Biology, Chemistry, Information and Computing Sciences, Mathematics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Physics. Each of these is made up of distinct institutes that work together to focus on answering some of humanity’s most pressing problems. More fundamental still are the individual research groups – the building blocks of our ambitious scientific projects. Find out more about us on YouTube 

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The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht 

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 (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 2023, an international visitation committee judged IMAU research to be of outstanding quality and highly relevant. Currently, IMAU employs 15 faculty members and 10 support staff and some 20 Postdocs and 30 PhD candidates, and offers a friendly, open and international atmosphere.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact Professor Henk Dijkstra 

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 at [email protected]Dr. Anna von der Heydt 

external link at [email protected], or Dr. Robbin Bastiaansen external link at [email protected].

Do you have a questions about the application procedure? Please send an email to [email protected].

Apply

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home 

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 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.

Please enclose:

  • your motivation letter;
  • your curriculum vitae;
  • the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.

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

Some connections are fundamental – Be one of them 

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#FundamentalConnection

The application deadline is 8 January 2024.

Apply

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