[Met-jobs] 18-month postdoctoral fellowship at the CNRM-GAME (Toulouse, France)

[BELLON Gilles <gilles.bellon@cnrm.meteo.fr>]

Applications are invited for a 18-month postdoctoral position starting in September 2010, in the climate research group of the CNRM-GAME in Toulouse (France) to work on the following subject: "Multi-model analysis of climate variability and related cloud feedbacks at intraseasonal timescales in CFMIP experiments". The deadline for application is June 30^th 2010.

Framework:

This position is funded by the European Union through the EUCLIPSE (EU Cloud Intercomparison, Process Study & Evaluation) FP7 project. This project aims at improving the assessment of cloud feedbacks on climate change, in the context of the upcoming 5^th Assessment Report of the IPCC, by making progress in the evaluation of the representation of clouds simulated by Earth System Models (ESMs) and the understanding of cloud-climate feedback processes. In order to achieve these goals, the project will in particular use original satellite observations based on active sensors, evaluate Earth System Models both at the large-scale and at the process-scale and in both climate and NWP modes, and conduct idealized climate model experiments that will help to identify, understand and prioritize the most critical cloud processes for different aspects of the climate system.

This call of opportunity concerns the second workpackage of the project on “Climate model Evaluation and Analysis”. It focuses on intraseasonal climate variability, including daily temperature variability and related extremes (heat waves and cold spells) over Europe as well as the Madden-Julian Oscillation in the Tropics. As far as temperature variability and extremes over Europe are concerned, a weather regime approach will be used to partition the model errors (historical CMIP5 and baseline AMIP simulations) and responses (21st century scenarios and idealized experiments) into large-scale circulation and regional (including cloud processes) contributions. MJO analyses will be based on a hierarchy of models including aquaplanet, AMIP and CMIP configurations in order to better understand the model errors and projections. Finally, the possible link in winter between the tropical MJO activity and the temperature variability over Europe could be also investigated.

Work description:

The proposed work will mainly consist in the following tasks :

1. Select and prepare the monthly and daily observations and model outputs necessary for the study;

2. Implement statistical tools such as a cluster analysis of daily geopotential height over North Atlantic (weather regimes), simple MJO diagnostics, and lead-lag composite analyses;

3. Develop and apply process-oriented diagnostics for the understanding of both model biases and projections of temperature variability over Europe and MJO variability in the tropics, with an emphasis on the role of cloud feedbacks;

4. Write project reports and scientific articles, and give presentations in EUCLIPSE meetings and international conferences.

Required qualifications:

1. A Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences or an engineer diploma obtained before the date of the application.

2. An expertise in Fortran and Unix, and an experience in high computing.

3. A good practice in French or English languages.

An experience in climate modelling and/or in statistics will be welcome.

Practical information:

The successful applicant will be contracted by Météo-France and will be based at the “Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques - Groupe d’Etude de l’Atmosphère Météorologique” (Toulouse, France; http://www.cnrm.meteo.fr/) within the climate research group. The opened position will start in September 2010 for a 18-month duration, with a possible 6 to 12 month extension. The net salary will be of the order of 2500 to 3000 euros per month, depending on the qualifications of the candidate.

For full consideration, an application letter including a detailed statement of research interest, along with a curriculum vitae (including research experience, publications and conferences, computing skill and different language practises) and the names, telephone and email address of 2 referees should be sent by email before June 30^th 2010 to:herve.douville@meteo.fr
with copy to:gilles.bellon@meteo.fr

Informal enquiries are welcome

For more details about CNRM-GAME climate research activities, please visit : http://www.cnrm.meteo.fr/gmgec/

-- 
Gilles Bellon
gilles.bellon@meteo.fr
Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques
42, avenue Gaspard Coriolis
31057 Toulouse Cedex 01
T.: +33 (0)5 61 07 93 22