Research Associate in Secondary Ice Mechanisms

The recent decade has seen an unprecedented acceleration in climate change and related weather extremes. In 2022 countries were struck by extreme floods with Pakistan being the worst-hit (33 million people affected). There are major outstanding questions as to how aerosol-cloud interactions control /modify these climate extremes and extreme weather events. To make progress we require improved predictive models and knowledge of the processes controlling aerosols, clouds, and their interactions. To improve weather and climate forecasts we need improved fundamental knowledge of so-called secondary ice mechanisms. Secondary ice mechanisms occur in mixed-phase clouds and are thought to impact clouds and rainfall.

In this project you will quantify the rain-drop freezing fragmentation “secondary ice mechanism” in the University of Manchester Ice Cloud Laboratories and use your findings to understand the impact they have on clouds, atmospheric radiation, and precipitation. 

This project is part of a wider EU Horizon project called Cloud-aERosol inTeractions & their impActs IN The earth sYstem (CERTAINTY - certainty-aci.eu) and as such you will benefit from interacting with a wide network of 18 international partners across 10 countries. This 16-month PDRA position will focus on quantifying secondary ice mechanisms in the laboratory. There may also be opportunities to extend the post.

You will be responsible to Prof. Paul Connolly and be required to report on your findings to a wider group including Prof. Hugh Coe.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Paul Connolly

Email: paul.connolly@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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