Research Associate in Environmental Sciences

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate in climate science focusing on cloud feedbacks.

The successful candidate will explore relationships between modeled tropical climatology, deep convection, and high cloud feedbacks as part of a project funded through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Regional and Global Model Analysis (RGMA) program. The overarching goal of this work will be to identify sources of inter-model spread in high cloud feedbacks and climate sensitivity among the latest generation of global climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP).

The postdoctoral research associate will be advised by Dr. Kathleen Schiro (University of Virginia) and co-advised by Dr. Mark Zelinka (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) and will have opportunities to travel to LLNL to develop and maintain active collaborations with scientists in the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI).

Responsibilities include (a) analyzing publicly-available CMIP5/6 output from multiple coordinated experiments, (b) analyzing and augmenting a perturbed physics ensemble (PPE) in the DOE’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM), (c) analyzing observational data to create constraints on cloud feedbacks through relevant atmospheric processes, (d) presenting work at conferences and engaging broadly in the cloud feedback community (e.g., through participation in workshops), and (e) publishing results in the peer-reviewed literature.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A PhD in Atmospheric Science, Environmental Sciences, or a related field is required by the start date. Experience analyzing global climate model output to study atmospheric processes is required.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs and attach a curriculum vitae, a brief cover letter describing relevant experience, and contact information for three references. Please note that multiple documents can be uploaded in the CV box.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2024, but the position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

This is a one-year appointment, with an expected start date in spring or summer 2025. However, the appointment may be renewed for one additional one-year increment, contingent upon satisfactory performance.

For any questions on this position please contact Kathleen Schiro, Assistant Professor, at kschiro@virginia.edu

For questions about the application process, please contact Rich Haverstrom, Academic Recruiter, at rkh6j@virginia.edu

For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits .

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.