PhD position on the topic of tropical cyclones

ETH Zürich • Vollzeit • Zürich • vor 2Tg

The Atmospheric Physics group at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science (IAC), ETH Zurich invites applications for a PhD position (3-4 years) investigating atmosphere-ocean interactions in the context of tropical cyclones. Our research group studies clouds in their various facets, from cloud microphysical processes to convective systems such as tropical cyclones. Our goal is to gain a better understanding of how cloud microphysical processes interact with cloud dynamics. We conduct laboratory and field studies, use remote sensing data and numerical models.

Project background

This position is part of the newly funded EU project RealESM, led by Cicero in Norway with partners in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, UK, Greece and Switzerland. In my research group, we plan to study atmosphere/ocean interactions at multiple spatial resolutions, and investigate consequences for tropical cyclones, clouds and precipitation and how they depend on spatial resolution. To this effect, we aim to conduct coupled atmosphere-ocean simulations with the ICON model in collaboration with the Climate Physics and the Environmental Phyics research groups at ETH Zurich and other researchers from the RealESM consortium. In this PhD position, we want to evaluate the impact of warm ocean temperature anomalies which occur along the coasts and cold anomalies caused for instance by Sahara dust on tropical cyclones.

Job description

The PhD work for this project will be conducted with the global aerosol-climate model ICON-HAM aerosol model coupled to the ETH ocean model. We are thus looking for a PhD candidate interested in numerical modelling, tropical cyclones and cloud physics. You will be:

Conducting coupled atmosphere-ocean simulations at various horizontal resolutions
Analyzing the model output in terms of tropical cyclones with observations
Investigate the sensitivity of tropical cyclones to cold and warm ocean temperature anomalies

Profile

The position requires a MSc (or equivalent) in atmospheric/environmental sciences, physics, computational science, engineering or a related field
A background in numerical modelling, statistical data analysis and/or programming skills is highly encouraged
Sound knowledge of the English language, both oral and written is expected
We specifically encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups in academia

We offer

Be able to broaden your horizon by acquiring subject specific competences and transferrable skills
Working in a diverse team with flexible working hours and the possibilty for home office
Integrated in the scientific community at ETH and internationally
Contribute to teaching

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