Do even the smallest clouds simply drift with the wind? This question is at the heart of the recently funded ERC Starting Grant project CloudBrake, which strives to understand the impact of momentum transport by cumulus convection on large-scale patterns of winds. CloudBrake's goal is to expose relationships between clouds and winds to estimate the amount of cumulus friction in different boundary layer flows, which is important for numerical weather prediction, climate modelling, and wind energy design. The research carried out by the three PhD candidates will combine high-resolution modelling with the analysis of existing and new measurements made from the ground, from aircraft and from space. The focus is on understanding small-scale processes, which are then used to conceptualise important mechanisms that matter for large-scale circulations, which will be tested in large-scale models.
Are you about to graduate or have you recently graduated? Do you have a keen interest in understanding small-scale physical processes within the Earth system, and can you communicate your progress and collaborate within a young team? We are looking forward to your application!
During your appointment you will perform individual research as part of a team with a broader goal, interact with researchers at climate modelling institutes, give presentations at international conferences and write publications, contribute to the planning and execution of a flight campaign and enrol in the faculty's Graduate School to develop your personal soft skills.
Requirements
Applicants should have
• a Master's degree in physics, mathematics, meteorology, Earth system science, or a related field.
• excellent communication skills demonstrated through a written article or thesis, a public presentation or personal blog.
• proficiency in written and spoken English.
• experience with data analysis, programming and/or numerical modelling.
Further details:
http://www.academictransfer.com