Postdoctoral Scholar - Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)-Tropical Cyclone

Details

Posted: 23-May-24

Location: Seattle, Washington

Type: Full Time

Salary: Open

Categories:

Academic/Faculty

Internal Number: 138899

Position Description

The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Washington is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar who will develop and apply a new set of process-oriented diagnostics to identify and understand biases in the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)-Tropical Cyclone relationship and their role in sub-seasonal precipitation prediction in the coastal and inland regions of the continental United States. We are especially interested in candidates who have experience in analyzing hindcast datasets such as those made available from NOAA's S2S (Sub-seasonal to Seasonal) project.

Project Summary

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are a major source of extreme precipitation in tropical and subtropical regions. Accurate TC forecasts are key to predicting precipitation at the sub-seasonal time scale in the continental US as landfalling TCs often bring extreme rain, especially to the coastal regions. Given the potentially catastrophic societal impacts of torrential TC precipitation and --- if not correctly simulated --- their negative influence on a model's sub-seasonal precipitation prediction skill, there is a clear need to evaluate sub-seasonal TC prediction and understand its skill in models. The main goal of the project is to identify and understand model biases and systematic errors in the representation of the MJO-TC relationship, a key source of predictability for sub-seasonal TC prediction.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Evaluate the performance of the NOAA Unified Forecast System (UFS) and other hindcast simulations at predicting the modulation of TC precursor disturbances and TC activity at sub-seasonal timescales in the Northeast Pacific and North Atlantic basins.
• Track pre-TC tropical disturbances in the NOAA UFS and other model hindcast datasets.
• Perform process-based analyses targeting the dynamics and thermodynamics of precursor disturbances and their conversion into TCs (i.e., tropical cyclogenesis).

The position is a 12-month appointment at 100% FTE with the opportunity to extend to a second year subject to approval and availability of funding. A Postdoctoral Scholar is an academic appointment that requires evidence of a conferred PhD by the appointment start date, and candidates cannot exceed five years of Postdoctoral experience before the end of an appointment. The salary range is between $5,705 and $6,054 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. The anticipated start date is Sep 1st, 2024.

University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five years/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience. Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website .

Qualifications

Candidates must have an earned doctorate, or foreign equivalent, in atmospheric sciences or a closely related field (at the time of appointment) and experience in sub-seasonal prediction and predictability research.

Desired

It is preferred that candidates have experience with one or more of the following: MJO teleconnections; applying conventional and/or process-oriented diagnostics to multi-model hindcast datasets for the identification and understanding of model biases; a strong programming background (ideally including experience with fortran); strong verbal and written communication skills.

Instructions

To apply, please submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter outlining current research accomplishments and a statement of how your experience meets the requirements for the postdoctoral position.
• Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for two professional references.

Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

Consideration of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For questions about the positions, please contact Professors Peter Blossey ([email protected]) and Daehyun Kim ([email protected]) by email. For questions about potential disability accommodation during the application process, please contact the UW's Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450, or 206-543-6452 (TTY), or [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Benefits Information

A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/ . Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint /). Additionally, the University's Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member's academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432 ).

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Disability Services

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .