[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoc opportunity: Predictability of subseasonal shifts in CA precipitation

[Gudrun Magnusdottir]

**

*Postdoctoral Scholar or Project Scientist at the University of 
California, Irvine*

*Predictability of subseasonal shifts in California precipitation 
through statistical and modeling studies*

**

Gudrun Magnusdottir,

Department of Earth System Science

University of California, Irvine, CA

We are looking for an ambitious postdoctoral research associate or 
project scientist interested in a research project examining the 
large-scale atmospheric circulation over the Pacific on subseasonal to 
seasonal (S2S) timescales, examining processes in the Earth system that 
are precursors to major shifts in California precipitation regimes 
within the water season (Oct – April).The project is focused on 
analyzing the large-scale atmospheric circulation and teleconnection 
patterns involving the tropics and the stratosphere, focusing on years 
when we observe a pronounced shift in CA precipitation.The project will 
involve modeling using a comprehensive global climate model that 
resolves the stratosphere (the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate 
Model), forced with prescribed sea surface temperature or coupled to an 
ocean model. A nudging method will be used to impose S2S modes of 
climate variability in the model (e. g., Madden-Julian Oscillation, 
Quasi-Biennial Oscillation), and assess their influence on the 
development and the predictability of atmospheric rivers that provide 
most CA precipitation. The project involves collaborations within our 
research group, including Dr. Yannick Peings, as well as members of a 
group in the Department of Computer Science at UCI who work on machine 
learning and statistical models for spatial and temporal data.

The term of appointment is for one year, and renewable for up to two 
more years, subject to satisfactory progress. Start dates are flexible, 
but we are eager to start as soon as possible. A strong foundational 
background in atmospheric dynamics is required, with expertise in 
large-scale atmospheric dynamics, as applied to diagnostic studies and 
modeling. Well-qualified candidates will be knowledgeable about the 
large-scale extratropical circulation on many time scales (synoptic to 
decadal) including storm-track and jet-stream dynamics, the major 
teleconnection patterns and their forcing mechanisms that may involve 
different parts of the climate system. Computational and statistical 
fluency is required for this position and candidates should be 
comfortable dealing with large data sets.Responsibilities will include 
designing, running and analyzing numerical experiments, unraveling 
process-level mysteries, and leading hypothesis driven publications.

The postdoctoral scholar or project scientist will work closely with 
Gudrun Magnusdottir and Yannick Peings. There are opportunities to 
collaborate with other members of Earth System Science at UC, Irvine, as 
well as our colleagues in Information and Computer Science who are 
exploring machine learning and spatio-temporal statistical models 
applied to this and similar problems.

The Earth System Science Department at UC Irvine is a highly 
interdisciplinary environment comprising ~ 25 faculty with expertise 
across many components of the Earth System, including atmospheric and 
climate dynamics, land surface processes, terrestrial and marine 
biogeochemical cycles, ice sheets, and human systems. The University of 
California is known for offering competitive retirement savings, health 
(including dental) and family benefits, and has a strong institutional 
commitment to inclusive excellence and diversity.

Please send your CV to gudrun at uci.edu <mailto:gudrun at uci.edu> with the 
subject “postdoc Application”. Thanks!


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