Research Associate in Heatwaves in a Changing Climate

Apply now Job no:500005
Work type:Full time
Location:Hobart
Categories:Research Focused

Research Associate in Heatwaves in a Changing Climate 

• Opportunity to contribute and develop your expertise in Heatwaves in a Changing Climate
• Relocation assistance available for the successful appointee if required
• Full time, Fixed-Term for up to three (3) years, based in Hobart

About the opportunity

This position is fully funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century.

The Centre is a major seven-year initiative funded by the Australian Research Council. It is a consortium of 24 partners led by Monash University in strong collaboration with The University of Melbourne, The University of New South Wales, The Australian National University, and the University of Tasmania.

The Centre’s team-based research is focused on how Australia’s weather is being reshaped by climate change. The Centre conducts blue-sky research with real-world applications for communities, industry, and government. The research program is made up of six integrated Centre Projects: Weather System Dynamics; Climate Variability and Weather Systems; Weather Systems in a Warmer World; Weather Resources; High-Impact Weather; and Modelling Science.

This position forms an integral part of the Centre Project: High-Impact Weather. The researcher will investigate the role of ocean and climate warming on marine and atmospheric heatwaves through the 21st century.

What you’ll do:

• Work within the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century, employed through and based at the partner node University of Tasmania within the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. The researcher will also work closely with researchers at other partner nodes.
• Investigate and understand how marine and atmospheric heatwaves around Australia have changed in the past based on historical observations and simulations using fine scale coupled models developed within the Centre.
• Investigate the connections between atmospheric and marine heatwaves, including the role and importance of heating from the ocean in the development of atmospheric heatwaves and the role of atmospheric circulations in marine heatwaves, and how those may change as the Earth continues to warm.    
• Questions may include: What mechanisms have caused marine and atmospheric heatwaves to change in recent decades? How do these mechanisms link and interact over different spatiotemporal scales (e.g. ENSO interactions with synoptic systems)? How well do we simulate these mechanisms in high-resolution models? Can ultra-high resolution coupled models, developed in the Centre, improve the representation of heatwave characteristics and their distribution? How will heatwaves across Australia change through the 21st century? What are the risks to society?
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor.­

What we’re looking for:

• A PhD or equivalent in fluid dynamics, physical oceanography, atmospheric science, applied mathematics or an equivalent field.
• Demonstrable knowledge of heatwaves and/or other weather processes (atmosphere/ocean physics and/or dynamics).
• Preference for expertise in analysing weather or climate extremes in model simulations, along with proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or similar high-level languages.
• Evidence of research that has produced high-quality publications and presentations at conferences.
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and in a team, as well as with colleagues at other Centre nodes and partner organisations.

Salary details

Appointment to this role will be at Academic Level A and will have a total remuneration package of up to $118,769 comprising base salary within the range of $78,499 to $101,512 plus 17% superannuation.

How to Apply

• To apply online, please provide the following supporting documentation:
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role
  • Your responses to the success criteria from the Position Description below
• For further information about this position, please contact Neil Holbrook, Professor of Ocean and Climate Dynamics, [email protected] or +61 3 6226 2027
• Please visit https://www.utas.edu.au/jobs/applying for our guide to applying and details on the recruitment process.
• Please refer to the attached Position Description Below for full details.

 Position Description -500005-Research Associate in Heatwaves in a Changing Climate.pdf

Applications close Sunday, 16 June 2024, 11.55pm

Advertised:13 May 2024 Tasmania Standard Time
Applications close:16 Jun 2024 Tasmania Standard Time