anand
2nd March 2005, 10:50 AM
At the sector Climate Research and Seismology, section Oceanography, of the KNMI in De Bilt, the Netherlands, there is a vacancy for a Ph.D. researcher
General information
As the national research and information centre for climate and climate change, the KNMI focusses on observing, understanding and predicting changes in the climate system. The research themes of the climate research are 1. obtaining the necessary climate data (monitoring), 2. obtaining a better understanding of the climate system, the causes of climate variations and the predictability of climate and 3. making better predictions of climate, both of natuarl variatons (to the extent that these are predictable) and of anthropogenic climate change of the regional climate, with an emphasis on extreme events.
The group ENSO and seasonal forecasts investigates the mechanisms of the El Niño phenomenon, its predictability and the long-range forecasts of the weather one to six months ahead that can be made on the basis of EL Niño and other factors. The group Regioklim investigates the extent to which large-scale circulation patterns influence local and regional climate forecasts. On the basis of the outcomes the dutch climate scenarios for the next century are formulated.
Project information
The Ph.D. student The Ph.D. student will investigate wehther the current climate models make sensible forecasts for the probability of extreme weather a month, a season or 100 years ahead. Forecasts of extreme weather are often more important than forecasts for the average weather. Monthly and seasonla forecasts for the past 15 years will be compared with observations to determine the skill statistically. For successful forecasts the physical processes will be investigated. Climate forecasts for the next hundred years that are based on the same physical mechanisms can then also be evaluated.
Most seasonal forecasts are based on EL Niño, but El Niño has only a weak influence in Europe. However, in Europe there are other sources of predictability. Sea surface temperature, soil moisture and snow cover are low-level predictors of temperature, and the stratosphere gives preeictability of the circulation in winter. On longer time scales changes in these climate elements will explain part of the changing probabilities for extreme weather.
The research is expected to lead to a Ph,.D> degree at the University of Utrecht.
Required
For this position a university degree in mathematics, physics, oceanography or meteorology is required. Experience in handling large data sets and use of large numerical models is an advantage.
Specifics
The position is temporary for the duration of four years, on a grant of the Ministry of Transport and Water at the occasion of the 150-year existence fo KNMI. Working place: De Bilt (near Utrecht), The Netherlands
Salary: First year € 1.692,18 gross per month (scale 6, step 1)
after 1 year € 1.796,22 gross per month (scale 6, step 3)
after 2 years € 1.957,42 gross per maand (scale 6, step 6)
after 3 jaars € 2.279,37 gross per month (scale 7, step 8)
Selection commitee: dr. G.J. van Oldenborgh
prof. dr. ir. B.J.J.M. van den Hurk
drs. R. Mureau
More information can be obtained from dr. Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, tel 030 2206711.
Please send your application before 12 March 2005 to mr A.A. van den Bosch (email: boschvd[at]knmi.nl ) mentioning vacancy number 2005/06.
Go here for more information http://www.knmi.nl/~oldenbor/joio_en.html (http://www.knmi.nl/%7Eoldenbor/joio_en.html)
General information
As the national research and information centre for climate and climate change, the KNMI focusses on observing, understanding and predicting changes in the climate system. The research themes of the climate research are 1. obtaining the necessary climate data (monitoring), 2. obtaining a better understanding of the climate system, the causes of climate variations and the predictability of climate and 3. making better predictions of climate, both of natuarl variatons (to the extent that these are predictable) and of anthropogenic climate change of the regional climate, with an emphasis on extreme events.
The group ENSO and seasonal forecasts investigates the mechanisms of the El Niño phenomenon, its predictability and the long-range forecasts of the weather one to six months ahead that can be made on the basis of EL Niño and other factors. The group Regioklim investigates the extent to which large-scale circulation patterns influence local and regional climate forecasts. On the basis of the outcomes the dutch climate scenarios for the next century are formulated.
Project information
The Ph.D. student The Ph.D. student will investigate wehther the current climate models make sensible forecasts for the probability of extreme weather a month, a season or 100 years ahead. Forecasts of extreme weather are often more important than forecasts for the average weather. Monthly and seasonla forecasts for the past 15 years will be compared with observations to determine the skill statistically. For successful forecasts the physical processes will be investigated. Climate forecasts for the next hundred years that are based on the same physical mechanisms can then also be evaluated.
Most seasonal forecasts are based on EL Niño, but El Niño has only a weak influence in Europe. However, in Europe there are other sources of predictability. Sea surface temperature, soil moisture and snow cover are low-level predictors of temperature, and the stratosphere gives preeictability of the circulation in winter. On longer time scales changes in these climate elements will explain part of the changing probabilities for extreme weather.
The research is expected to lead to a Ph,.D> degree at the University of Utrecht.
Required
For this position a university degree in mathematics, physics, oceanography or meteorology is required. Experience in handling large data sets and use of large numerical models is an advantage.
Specifics
The position is temporary for the duration of four years, on a grant of the Ministry of Transport and Water at the occasion of the 150-year existence fo KNMI. Working place: De Bilt (near Utrecht), The Netherlands
Salary: First year € 1.692,18 gross per month (scale 6, step 1)
after 1 year € 1.796,22 gross per month (scale 6, step 3)
after 2 years € 1.957,42 gross per maand (scale 6, step 6)
after 3 jaars € 2.279,37 gross per month (scale 7, step 8)
Selection commitee: dr. G.J. van Oldenborgh
prof. dr. ir. B.J.J.M. van den Hurk
drs. R. Mureau
More information can be obtained from dr. Geert Jan van Oldenborgh, tel 030 2206711.
Please send your application before 12 March 2005 to mr A.A. van den Bosch (email: boschvd[at]knmi.nl ) mentioning vacancy number 2005/06.
Go here for more information http://www.knmi.nl/~oldenbor/joio_en.html (http://www.knmi.nl/%7Eoldenbor/joio_en.html)