These two positions will examine ice and climate interactions within an
Earth Systems Modelling framework as part of the ArcTrain-Canada
(www.arctrain.ca) program. The program offers unique training with
workshops and specialized courses and co-supervision by
internationally-renowned researchers of complementary expertise.
Details on both positions are below:
Computational resources are second to none: The Glacial Dynamics group at
MUN has a dedicated 540 core cluster (to be upgraded to over 1000 cores,
fall 2014) and access to further computational resources through ACEnet
and SciNet.
Associated benefit: the spectacular natural environment of Newfoundland,
Canada (a hiker's and seakayaker's paradise).
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PhD project: Coupled ice and climate system modelling with a focus on high
frequency variability/instability
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Supervisor: Lev Tarasov, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Co-supervisors: Bruno Tremblay (McGill University) and Paul Myers
(University of Alberta)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: We know the climate system jumped around a lot during
the last glacial cycle, but models have yet to full capture such climate
system variability. This project will focus on examining the well
documented Heinrich event 1 to Younger Dryas interval. This project will
examine sensitivity of climate response (using various coupled 3D coupled
models) to meltwater injection chronologies and associated
parametrizations.
This project also includes the following sub-project:
Introduction of subgrid stochastic parametrizations to improve
representation of turbulent processes in low resolution GCMs (General
Circulation Models, ie for climate) for long time-scale modelling and
comparison against higher resolution models.
Applications are invited from strong candidates with an interest in Earth
systems modelling/science. Applicants must have completed a M.Sc. degree
in physics, meteorology, physical oceanography, or closely related areas
by start of PhDship. Applicants must also be interested in working in a
collaborative environment in computationally intensive projects.
Required skills:
-ocean and/or climate system modelling experience -Some experience in
using FORTRAN or C, and analysis packages such as OCTAVE/MATLAB
-Knowledge of general physics and geophysical fluid dynamics (even better
with
detailed understanding of atmospheric/ocean physics) -Fluency in
relevant maths (linear/matrix algebra, vector calculus, and differential
equations; statistics is very advantageous)
The student will have extended visits to work with co-supervisors'
groups at U of A and McGill. Supervisors will also co-ordinate cross
University reading courses on relevant topics.
Interested students should contact:
Lev Tarasov
Canada Research Chair in Glacial Dynamics Modelling Department of Physics
and Physical Oceanography Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's,
NL A1B 3X7 lev@mun.ca http://www.physics.mun.ca/~lev/
include the following:
1. A cover letter including their name, academic status and contact
details, as well as the names and contact details of two or their faculty
advisers from whom confidential letters may be sought.
2. A statement of interest including long-term academic plans, research
interests,...
3. A short resume/CV, including a list of courses taken, and grades.
4. A self evaluation of strong and weak research skills, along with likes
and dislikes associated with research and modelling.
Details of graduate studies in Physics and Physical Oceanography at
Memorial University can be found at
http://www.mun.ca/physics/graduate_students/
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Post-Doctoral Fellow position in deglacial ice and climate system
interactions
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What were the relative impacts of changing deglacial meltwater fluxes and
changing ice sheet geometry on atmospheric and ocean circulation?
How did sea-ice respond and in turn feedback on the rest of the climate
system? What actually happens to a deglacial meltwater plume as it
propagates past coastal fjords and through turbulent boundary currents?
And how can we better represent these processes in coarse resolution GCMs?
We are seeking a Post Doctoral Fellow (PDF) to investigate these questions
as part of a large collaborative project.
The PDF will initially be based in the glacial dynamics group at MUN
(Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's). He/she will have
extended visits with co-supervisors: Paul Myers, at the University of
Alberta (Edmonton, high resolution ocean modelling) and Claude
Hillaire-Marcel, at UQAM (Montreal, comparison of model output to
paleo-oceanographic records).
Applications are invited from creative self-motivated candidates with a
deep interest in Earth systems modelling/science. Applicants must have
completed a PhD in physics, meteorology, physical oceanography, or closely
related areas by the start of PDF. Applicants must also be interested in
working in a collaborative environment on computationally intensive
projects. Required qualifications:
- published record in ocean, atmosphere, and/or climate system modelling
with GCMs
- Solid understanding of geophysical fluid dynamics and atmospheric/ocean
physics
- Experience in using FORTRAN or C, and analysis packages such as
OCTAVE/MATLAB
- Experience with Linux/Unix systems, including the writing of shell
scripts
Term: 2 years
Start date: Sept 1, 2014 (or soon thereafter...)
Interested candidates should contact Lev Tarasov (lev@mun.ca). Please
include a full CV, contact information for referees, and a statement of
interest.