Climate researcher for ice sheet surface mass balance modelling

The National Centre for Climate Research is part of a collaboration focusing on the importance of the large polar ice sheets for future sea level rise projections. The project, Predicting Changes in Ice Sheets (PRECISE), is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and we are looking for a researcher for a 3-year position.

The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) opens a three year fixed term, full time position for a climate scientist to work with ice sheet surface mass balance processes over both Greenland and Antarctica. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with other experts regional climate and ice sheet modelling, at both the National Centre for Climate Research and at the partner institutions, the Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen and the University of Northumbria.

As our new colleague you will work in a department with a strong profile in both global and regional climate modelling, as well as remote sensing. We are seeking a candidate with competences and interest in surface mass balance (SMB) modelling and with experience working on firn and snow processes at the surface of the large polar ice sheets. The successful candidate will develop and run the DMI SMB model over both ice sheets including new processes and refining old ones, where necessary, to build a large ensemble of SMB projections suitable for forcing ice sheet models. Collaborating with colleagues to couple the SMB model to a dynamical ice sheet model is also a key task. Part of the project will also involve applying machine learning techniques to develop fast statistical and hybrid downscaling techniques with the aim of quickly building an ensemble of surface mass balance projections for applications suitable for inclusion in e.g. the IPCC CMIP7 process. We expect that your work will include collaborations nationally and internationally with a significant component of the work also making use of remote sensing and in-situ datasets to evaluate model outputs. Your working tasks will include leading and contributing to scientific papers, and in co-supervising MSc and PhD students in related project work.

Expected qualifications

• A PhD degree in ice sheet mass balance and related processes
• Skills and interest in statistical methods and analyses of ensembles of climate and SMB simulations
• Past research experience with use and development of remote sensing data
• Advanced programming skills (Linux/Unix and scripting languages e.g. Python or similar)
• Experience with Fortran programming
• Good communication skills in oral and written English.
• Speaking Danish is an advantage to be able to support DMI’s role as national climate advisor to the Danish Government.

About DMI and NCKF The NCKF has been established with the purpose to conduct critical climate research for the Kingdom of Denmark (Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands) and bring together climate knowledge, to form the basis for green transition and climate adaptation. The activities include assessments of observed and future climate change of the physical climate system, with focus on the Arctic, Greenland and on extreme weather and sea level around Denmark. Across the department, the climate research builds on both global and regional modelling as well as observations from remote sensing, in-situ measurements and field work. NCKF develops the Danish Climate Atlas (Klimaatlas) which contains detailed data about expected future changes in the climate across Denmark.

The position is in the Danish National Centre for Climate Research (NCKF) at DMI, which employs more than 60 climate scientists, including PhD students, junior and senior scientists. The companion Weather Research department employs researchers working with meteorology, oceanography and hydrology. We have a strong international profile, which is also reflected in the many nationalities employed and in the use of both English and Danish as working languages.

We have approximately 330 employees, most of whom work at DMI’s new headquarters at Sankt Kjelds Gård in Østerbro. The new place have interior design that allows for an activity-based way of working.

The PRECISE (PREdicting Changes in Ice ShEets) Project The PRECISE project is a 6 year collaboration between DMI, the University of Copenhagen Niels Bohr Institute and the University of Northumbria, Newcastle. The aim is to produce improved projections of sea level rise from ice sheets with a focus on incorporating new physics understanding and new observational data into numerical models. DMI’s role in the project is twofold: to investigate and improve surface mass balance processes and in particular the effect of surface elevation feedbacks, and to couple and run the global model EC-Earth with integrated online numerical ice sheet models for both Greenland and Antarctica.

Employment Employment and salary will be according to the Danish Law and Agreements, as a scientist/researcher, depending on previous experience. It will be possible to apply for an addition to the basic salary. Researchers who are recruited from abroad, and who are able to meet certain conditions, have the opportunity to work in Denmark for a period of 60 months under a special 26 % tax rate without deduction, instead of working under the regular income taxation. DMI offers a flexible working week of 37 hours including a paid lunch break, and six weeks of paid vacation annually.

For further details about the position, contact Head of unit, Rasmus Anker Pedersen (telephone: +45 20 46 79 38 or e-mail: [email protected]).

At DMI, diversity is an important value for us, because we believe that an inclusive and versatile work environment strengthens task fulfilment. We work actively with diversity in our employee composition, which is reflected in our inclusive workplace with a balance between work life and family life. We encourage everyone to apply for the position regardless of age, gender, sexuality, religion or ethnicity.

Application Please send your application, including (1) a cover letter with motivation for the application, (2) a curriculum vitae (incl. publication list), (3) relevant exam papers and diplomas, (4) possible other relevant appendices and contacts for relevant professional references, so we have it in our system by Thursday 14th of December by 12:00.

To apply for the position, please use the below link "Apply for Position"/"Søg Stillingen", and follow the instructions.

We expect to hold interviews between the 18th and 22nd of December.

Starting date can be as soon as possible for the selected candidate.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk