Postdoctoral Fellow, Climate modelling/paleoclimatology

The Department of Geological Sciences is one of the larger departments within the Faculty of Science with about 70 employees and 1000 students per year. The department supports a broad range of basic research within marine geoscience, geochemistry and classical geology. This position is in collaboration with colleagues in the Bolin Centre for Climate Research (BCCR) and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI).

Project description
The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, in large because of the positive feedback of the sea-ice albedo. Adaption to sea-level rise and anticipation of the impacts on Arctic and global ocean circulation is hindered by uncertainty in the contribution from the shrinking Greenland ice-sheet (GIS). To gain a better understanding of the stability of the GIS and the Arctic sea-ice, scientists have turned to the Last Interglacial (LIG) as the last period significantly warmer than today. While forcing mechanisms for the LIG and modern/future warmth are different, i.e. the LIG was forced by different solar insolation, compared to higher greenhouse gas concentrations in the future, important lessons can be gained from understanding the process and impacts of warming on Arctic systems. The problem is that, despite significant attention in the past, current data and models paint a conflicting picture of the LIG Arctic cryosphere (both the sea ice and GIS), implying major gaps in our understanding of the physical process at play.

Main responsibilities
The primary task will be to adapt and use the new high-resolution EC-Earth model to simulate the LIG climate, with and without a Greenland ice sheet, with the support of model experts at SMHI. A secondary task is to update the current synthesis on Arctic sea ice proxies and sea surface temperature with the latest data, in collaboration with paleoclimatic data synthesis experts. The results must be interpreted in publications to answer questions about the extent to which the LIG is an analogue to the future, what the probable Arctic sea ice state and GIS state was at LIG, and finally what we can conclude about the future stability of the Arctic cryosphere.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to have a Swedish doctoral degree or equivalent degree from another country in oceanography, meteorology, applied mathematics or similar relevant to the project.

Assessment criteria
The degree should have been completed no more than three years before the deadline for applications. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances, which may involve sick leave, parental leave, clinical attachment, elected positions in trade unions, or similar.

The selection is based on how well the applicant is assumed to be able to complete the project tasks. Particular emphasis is placed on the applicant´s knowledge and skills within the subject of his/her proposed specialization, capability to express their work orally and in writing, creativity, ability to take initiatives, independence and ability to work with other researchers. The evaluation is based on the quality and applicability of previous education and experience, ambitions and research ideas, the personal letter, and potentially interviews. You must be able to work independently and in groups, as well as towards deadlines.

You should be fluent in English as the goal of your work is to summarize the results in international peer-reviewed research articles. Proven experience in climate modelling is highly desirable. An interest in big-picture climate questions and paleoclimate is an advantage and experience with EC-Earth would be an additional merit.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a maximum of two years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Agatha de Boer, agatha.deboer@geo.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University’s recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

Your contact details and personal data
Your highest degree
Your language skills
Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

Cover letter including:
CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience
Exam certificates and grades that prove you fulfill the requirements
Publications in support of your application (no more than 5 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Closing date: 31/03/2021

URL to this pagehttps://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs?rmpage=job&rmjob=14185&rmlang=UK

This postdoctoral researcher will work as part of an inter-disciplinary team of experts on paleoclimate modelling, paleoclimate data, and future climate modelling. The project’s primary goal is to simulate the LIG in the adapted EC-Earth global climate model at a ¼° ocean resolution, which is state of the art in paleoclimate modelling. Unlike previous studies, which typically compare the LIG climate to the pre-industrial climate, the LIG mean state and variability will be directly compared to a future greenhouse world of comparable warmth. The postdoctoral researcher will simulate the LIG climate with and without a GIS to evaluate which state fits the proxies best. For this purpose, an up-to-date synthesis of climate proxies for the LIG will be produced, including the generation (by collaborators) of 9 new sea-ice records as part of this project.
Main responsibilities
The primary task will be to adapt and use the new high-resolution EC-Earth model to simulate the LIG climate, with and without a Greenland ice sheet, with the support of model experts at SMHI. A secondary task is to update the current synthesis on Arctic sea ice proxies and sea surface temperature with the latest data, in collaboration with paleoclimatic data synthesis experts. The results must be interpreted in publications to answer questions about the extent to which the LIG is an analogue to the future, what the probable Arctic sea ice state and GIS state was at LIG, and finally what we can conclude about the future stability of the Arctic cryosphere.