Sea Ice Climate Research Postdoctoral Fellow

What You Will Do:

The purpose of this position is to conduct original research on the factors driving variations in the sea ice surface albedo evolution and to incorporate that knowledge into sea ice models. This will make use of observations from the MOSAiC field campaign and model simulations and result in the development of sea ice model parameterizations. The work will involve (1) the development of a single-column sea ice model (Icepack) case study for the MOSAiC site, (2) analysis of observations from MOSAiC with comparison to Icepack and CESM experiments, and (3) the development of new parameterizations for incorporation into CICE (and ultimately CESM). Additional work will consider the influence of new parameterizations on coupled climate simulations. Parameterization candidates include the effect of episodic events (rain-on-snow, early melt season snowfall, etc.) on surface albedo, the processes controlling melt pond evolution, and the role of snow heterogeneity on albedo. 

This is part of a multi-institutional project that involves scientists at Dartmouth, U. Washington, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and U. Alaska-Fairbanks. As such, the Fellow will have opportunities to interact with numerous project PIs with expertise in sea ice observations and modeling.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a single-column model (Icepack) case study for the MOSAiC field campaign site and perform relevant simulations
• Analyze MOSAiC observations with comparison to Icepack and CESM experiments to determine controls on surface albedo evolution
• Develop and incorporate sea ice model parameterizations and test their influence on simulated conditions
• Take the lead and participate in the writing of scientific journal articles. Present results at relevant meetings.

What You Need:

Education & Experience

• A Ph.D. or equivalent experience in sea ice/climate sciences; demonstrated understanding of polar climate dynamics; research experience in a relevant field, with contributions to refereed journals.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Expert knowledge in sea ice processes and polar climate.
• Skilled in working with large geophysical data sets, including sea ice model output and sea ice data.
• Expert knowledge in statistical analysis and graphical presentation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, especially for scientific publications and presentations.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Please note that while the position description details both minimum requirements as well as desired skills and experience, we want to remind applicants that you do not need to have all the desired skills and experience to be considered for this role. If you have the passion for the work along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We can provide on-the-job training for the rest.

For more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, here is the link to the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan and to the ODEI landing page.

Non-risk based position:  A pre-employment screening is conducted in conjunction with an offer for employment. This screening may involve verifying or reviewing any of the following relevant information: restricted parties screening, employment verification, performance records of internal candidates, education verification, reference checks, verification of professional licenses, certifications, and Motor Vehicle Records.  UCAR complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 

Applicant Notes:

Please submit ALL the following items with your application in order to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter;
• Resume/CV;
• References: 3 names with contact information.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until 5/9/2022

Application materials REQUIRED at the time of the application:
– Cover letter
– Resume/CV
– 3 references with contact information

Position Term: 2-year term position

Relocation: Partial relocation assistance may be available for this position

Work Visa: A work visa may be supported

Salary: $70,270 per year

Benefits: UCAR’s rich package of employee benefits includes medical, dental, vision, education assistance, retirement, and life insurance. UCAR offers a variety of programs designed to assist with work-life balance including flexible work alternatives, paid time off and 14 weeks of paid parental leave. To learn more about our benefits, click here: https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/benefits

Vaccination Requirement: All employees hired by UCAR must comply with UCAR’s Covid-19 Vaccination Policy and safety protocols

Where You Will Work:

This position is with the Climate and Global Dynamics (CGD) Laboratory’s Paleo and Polar Climate (PCC) section. The mission of the Paleo and Polar Climate (PPC) section is to enhance understanding of the workings of the climate system through investigations of past climates and the role of polar regions in climate variability and change.

The CGD Laboratory is part of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) located in Boulder, CO. CGD’s mission is to:

1. Discover the key processes in each component of the Earth’s climate system and the interactions among them;

2. Represent this understanding in models and thereby provide a basis for prediction of climate; and

3. Apply this understanding and these models to scientific problems of societal relevance.

More information about CGD can be found at http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/