Graduate Research Assistant

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This new full time post is available from 1 August 2024 until 31 November 2024 (with some flexibility), with the possibility of a short extension, subject to approval.

Summary of the role

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Associate to participate in a NERC funded Pushing the Frontiers project entitled T he W ide-ranging I mpacts of ST ratospheric smoke A erosols (TWISTA).

A new climate change threat has been identified. Smoke aerosol generated by intense wildfires has recently been detected in the stratosphere in both hemispheres. We hypothesise that the projected increase in frequency and intensity of wildfires under all future climate scenarios poses an increasing threat to the Antarctic ozone-hole recovery predicted under the Montreal Protocol, may play a role in future Arctic ozone depletion, and can influence key dynamical modes of climate variability. The overarching objectives of TWISTA are to:-

(i) utilize in-situ and remote sensing observations and synergistic multi-scale modelling to improve our understanding of stratospheric smoke events and their impacts on ozone and climate.

(ii) quantify the impacts of these events in seasonal predictions and future climate simulations

This NERC-funded post is available from 1 August 2024 until 31 November 2024 (with some flexibility), with the possibility of a short extension, subject to approval.

The successful applicant will predominantly be utilising the UKESM1 climate model in conjunction with satellite retrievals from the SUOMI and MODIS satellites and surface based AERONET retrievals. In recent years, unprecedented large wildfires have been observed over North America and Siberia. The successful candidate will use satellite observations to validate the representation of these fires in the UKESM1 climate model.

The successful applicant will be expected to work closely with colleagues at the University of Exeter and colleagues at the Met Office Hadley Centre. They will be expected to produce a peer-reviewed paper documenting the results.   

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will be expected to learn how to perform analysis of climate model and/or satellite derived climate data and will have an appreciation of the role of aerosols in climate change.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024).  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world’s most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today.  More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. 

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

For further information please contact Prof Jim Haywood, e-mail [email protected]  or telephone 07785 118991.

Interviews are expected to take place in April 2024.