Research Scientist

The University of Reading is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and ambitious researcher to improve our understanding of ice sheets as part of our changing Earth System. The future evolution of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets will determine the severity of the global impacts of sea level rise and their physical interactions with the wider climate system include the potential to cross thresholds beyond which ice loss accelerates rapidly and becomes irreversible. This post focuses on simulating and understanding these climate tipping points involving ice sheets in UKESM, the UK’s national Earth System model. Working with other national modelling groups in two large Europe-wide projects you will design and carry out an ensemble of simulations in which large-scale changes to the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are triggered, analyse the associated process interactions with the ocean and atmosphere and the global climatic consequences and assess the potential routes for avoiding or reversing these impacts. UKESM’s world-leading sophistication in its modelling of ice sheet – climate interactions means that your work will be breaking new ground at forefront of this important area of climate change research, so publication and wide dissemination of your findings will be a particularly important part of this role.

Fixed-term project until 31/12/2027.

You will have:

• A keen interest in modelling ice sheets and their interactions with other components of the global Earth System over a range of timescales
• Numeracy skills and confidence working with large amounts of climate model simulation output and High Performance Computers.
• Confidence in communicating findings verbally and in writing within the research community.
• Experience in research (PhD or equivalent attainment) in a numerical subject e.g. physics, maths, meteorology, environmental science.
• Personal skills to work both independently and as part of a team

Alongside your role in two pan-European projects, you will work with a team of scientists within the world-class Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading and will be a part of the UKESM group: a network of scientists across the UK who develop and run the UK’s national Earth System Model from a range of national science centres including the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, British Antarctic Survey and the MetOffice. This position is funded by TipESM and OptimESM, projects funded by the European Union and UKRI. TipESM and OptimESM are funded by the European Union, Horizon Europe Funding Programme for research and innovation under GA Nr.101137673 and GA Nr.101081193. If you feel that any reasonable adjustments on our part would make applying for or carrying out this role more possible for you then please let us know when applying.

Please see the job description and personal specification for further details.

The closing date for applications is 23.59 on 31 July 2024

Interview date - 04 September 2024

For more information, please contact:

Contact Name : Robin Smith

Contact Job Title : Assoc. Prof

Contact Email address: r.s.smith@reading.ac.uk

By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route.  Applicants wishing to consider the SWR must ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement before applying.  There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality.

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