Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow

This full-time post is available from 1 March 2025 on a fixed-term basis until 31 July 2026.

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow in the aerosols, clouds and climate research group (https://emps.exeter.ac.uk/aerosol-clouds/) to participate in the NERC Southern Ocean Clouds (SOC) project (https://cloudsense.ac.uk/soc/) as part of the Uncertainty in Climate Sensitivity due to Clouds (CloudSense2) programme, and the Horizon Europe Clouds and climate transitioning to post-fossil aerosol regime (CleanCloud) project (https://projects.au.dk/cleancloud/cleancloud-project).

The postholder will perform numerical atmospheric model simulations using the UK Met Office Earth System Model (UKESM1) and analyse these to identify the role of model resolution and atmospheric processes controlling the aerosol lifecycle on the representation of CCN sources in pristine environments. The postholder will apply trajectory-based source attribution modelling to data from UKESM1 and observations to uncover model structural uncertainty due to unresolved processes associated with aerosol-cloud interactions.

This main aim of the position is to investigate how well sources of CCN from natural aerosols are captured by climate models in the present day. The overarching objectives are to:

(i) utilise in-situ and remote sensing observations and synergistic multi-scale modelling to improve our understanding of natural aerosols sources and their interaction with clouds.

(ii) quantify the impacts of natural aerosols on clouds properties and the representation of their interactions on present day climate simulations.

Depending on the skills and interests of the applicant, there is flexibility to adjust the focus and the balance of the observation - modelling research pathway pursued.

The applicant will be expected to work closely with colleagues at the University of Exeter, but also with other national and international parties involved in the CloudSense2 SOC and CleanCloud projects, including for example, colleagues at the UK Met Office Hadley Centre. They will be expected to produce a peer-reviewed paper documenting the results.

About you
At Grade E: Applicants will possess or be nearing completion of a relevant PhD (or nearing completion) or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be expected to learn how to perform model simulations and analysis of climate model data, and will preferably have an appreciation of the role of aerosols in climate change.

At Grade F: Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in maths, physics, computer-science, meteorology, or a related numerate scientific discipline. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in atmospheric sciences and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will be able to perform model simulations and analysis of climate model data, and will preferably have an appreciation of the role of aerosols in climate change.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

Further information
For further information please contact Dr Daniel Partridge, e-mail d.g.partridge@exeter.ac.uk or telephone 01392 724165.

Advert information