Research Associate / Senior Research Associate - Stratospheric Dynamics Position for PEGASUS

Stratospheric Dynamics Position for PEGASUS Research Associate / Senior Research Associate

The University of Bristol seeks to employ a Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in atmospheric dynamics. This work falls under the larger PEGASUS program led by the University of Bath.

Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) can cause extreme weather in the mid-latitudes, such as the Chicago deep-freeze in January of this year. PEGASUS aims to understand the drivers of these SSW events. Anomalous planetary wave forcing can be an important contributor to SSW development, but is not required. Instead, precursor processes including both planetary waves and smaller-scale gravity waves can modulate the polar atmosphere before the SSW begins. This reconfigures the vortex into a state where the massive dynamical changes of an SSW can be triggered by normal planetary waves.

The PEGASUS team will use new observational techniques and state-of-the-art reanalyses to assess the evidence of planetary and gravity waves as drivers of SSWs in the observational record. Idealised models will be used to build upon these observations, allowing us to explain the mix of underlying geophysical processes which affect how an SSW forms and evolves. Leading climate models will be studied to understand how and why this affects surface weather and what the mechanisms are. Finally, we will use global wind radar and satellite TEC data to understand how SSWs can couple via lunar tides into the ionosphere, affecting upper-atmosphere electrodynamics at the global scale

The University of Bristol researcher will work as part of Dann Mitchell's group on the climate modelling and reanalysis aspects of this work, but will also work closely with postdoctoral researchers at Bath who will do the satellite research (led by Corwin Wright), and UCL who will do the idealized modelling research (led by Gavin Esler) feeding into the wide satellite and modelling PEGASUS goals.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a physical science discipline, with a track record in climate/atmospheric dynamics. Other desired, but not essential qualities, include climate modelling and proficiency in Python.

Application closing date: a month after advertising

Interview date: TBC

Project start date: From the 1st of October, or soon thereafter

Line manager: Dr Dann Mitchell

Contact: d.m.mitchell@bristol.ac.uk

External collaborators: Met Office

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.