Doctoral student in paleoclimate and climate modelling - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

Large-scale weather patterns have strong impact on wind strength and direction. It has been proposed that weather patterns will change due to global warming. However, it is difficult to attribute short-term change in weather to climate change due to the comparable short period of instrumental observations. We will combine geological archives, with climate model output to develop unique seasonally resolved climate field reconstructions for the North Atlantic region. Using this baseline of weather patterns covering the past millennium we will evaluate state-of-the-art climate models in terms of skill in reproducing past and present weather and wind. The end goal is to provide improved future scenarios with maps of wind strength and direction using the best performing models.

Work duties

The PhD candidate will work within the researcher project Improved projections of wind strength and direction by testing climate models using seasonal climate reconstructions, where the candidate will perform model evaluation of climate models using observed and reconstructed weather patterns. The work will involve statistical methods to determine the spatial and temporal variability of the climate data (e.g., Principal Component Analysis), and to evaluate the skills of the climate models. He/she will furthermore investigate the impact on weather patterns of climate forcings, e.g., solar activity and volcanic eruptions, in both climate models and reconstructions. The project will involve handling of large data sets and writing computer code to analyse climate variability, and the successful applicant will in the course of the work have the opportunity to acquire a broad skill set in climatology, data analysis and statistics.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• Has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• Has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• Has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in geology if he or she has:

• A university degree (MSc or equivalent) in Earth Sciences, Physics, Meteorology or related areas

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• Basic knowledge of statistics is required

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g., professional experience

Other assessment criteria:

• Documented experience with handling of climate model output or other gridded climate data is desirable
• In-depth knowledge of climate dynamics and climate modelling is a strong merit

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).