Postdoctoral Research Associate, polar and paleo ocean dynamics – University of Colorado

Job Summary:

The Polar and Paleoclimate modeling group in the Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research and the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate for work on polar and paleo ocean dynamics. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will perform climate model analysis and experiments, addressing exciting scientific questions related to the dynamics of water mass changes and Arctic freshwater pathways, for both present, future, and past climates. An overarching theme of the work of the Postdoctoral Research Associate will be the comparison of climate model simulations with observations and proxy data, using novel tracers to improve the understanding of oceanic processes important for global climate.

Applicant will be responsible for working in collaboration with climate modeling and ocean proxy experts at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, within INSTAAR, and at the Ohio State University.

Who we are:

As the University’s oldest institute, lNSTAAR (Institute of Arctic & Alpine Research) has a long history of responding to pressing environmental issues. Our traditional focus has been on polar and alpine regions, where effects of global change are especially pronounced. In recent decades, our research has broadened to include environmental challenges that span local, regional, and global scales. Research topics vary widely and include Quaternary and modern environments, human and ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, landscape evolution, hydrology, oceanography, and climate.

INSTAAR’s research activities integrate field studies, state-of-the-art laboratory experiments, sample analysis, and numerical and laboratory modeling. Our field sites are located across all seven continents and the world’s oceans. Our expertise across disciplines helps us generate influential science that can inform public and policy decisions and move us toward a more sustainable society. INSTAAR’s national and international research leadership is augmented by exceptional strength in graduate education and bringing undergraduates into the research process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate changes in the ocean circulation in the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic, using simulations from the Community Earth System Model, with a focus on water mass changes and freshwater pathways, for several different time periods:
  • For present-day and future projections, with a focus on as on the effect of internal variability versus model and scenario uncertainty, including comparisons with CMIP5/CMIP6 model output and observations.
  • For the early-to-mid Holocene, with a focus on the effect of the opening of Arctic gateways and the dynamics supporting the formation of the North Water Polynya.
  • For the last deglacial period, with a focus on assessing changes in water mass structure and model-proxy intercomparisons.
• Prepare several manuscripts and contribute to collaborative manuscripts.
• Present results at local, national, and international meetings.
• Collaborate with others on related and new research projects.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students as needed.

What you should know:

This position is available immediately. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applications received by November 30, 2018. This is a position with an initial 1-year term, with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

What we require:

• Ph.D. in the atmospheric, oceanic, climate, or Earth sciences, or a closely related discipline.
• Excitement and curiosity for interdisciplinary climate research questions
• Experience in the analysis of global climate model output.
• Coding experience in languages such as NCL, Matlab and/or Python.

What we would like to have:

• Experience with the Community Earth System Model (CESM).
• Experience in performing model simulations, preferably with the CESM.
• Subject matter expertise in one or several of the following: North Atlantic/Arctic ocean dynamics,
• Arctic Ocean freshwater, oceanic watermasses, paleoclimate of the past 20,000 years, model/observation/proxy comparisons, model development, CESM, oceanic isotopes (13C, 14C, neodymium, water isotopes, Pa/Th).
• Experience with analyzing CMIP ocean model output across multiple models.

Learn more and apply