Job Vacancies
Positions available in the School of Earth and Environment
For more information and to apply for any of the below vacancies please go to the University job page
Research Fellow in Ice-phase aerosol-cloud interactions
Fixed term for 3 years
Aerosol-cloud interactions introduce large uncertainty into efforts to predict the future climate. You will join a new team to investigate aerosol-cloud interactions in ice clouds. You will be required to develop an understanding of how aerosolperturbations affect ice dominated cloud fields.
You will capitalise on a new high resolution (convection permitting) aerosol-cloud interaction model based on the Met Office Unified Model, coupled to the aerosol-chemistry representation developed at the University of Leeds. This new tool will enable you to explore the evolution of regional scale cloud fields. Understanding how aerosol perturbations feedback through changes to the thermodynamic and dynamic environment of extensive cloud fields is key to reducing the uncertainty in aerosol-cloud interactions. Aerosol-cloud interactions within evolving cloud fields involving ice and mixed-phase have not been extensively explored at convection permitting resolutions. Objectives of this position will include the exploration of different representations of ice nuclei (IN), testing of the model against observations for fully coupled prognostic IN (and CCN) convection permitting simulations, and determining if there are any regime dependencies that lead to some physical processes dominating.
You will rapidly become proficient in the use and development of the UKCA-4a aerosol-cloud interaction model. This position will include the exploration of case studies, the proposal and testing of parametrization frameworks for representing aerosol-cloud interactions.
The University of Leeds has significant expertise in aerosol-cloud interactions ranging from laboratory work and observations through to modelling at the process and climate scale. The University of Leeds and the Met Office have developed an aerosol-cloud interacting model (UKCA-4a) capable of representing the evolution of cloud fields over large domains (~1000km). Using this tool we will advance understanding of the processes that control the response of cloud fields to changes in aerosol loadings. Parametrization approaches to encapsulate this knowledge required to improve coarse GCM climate predictions will be developed.
You will have a PhD (or be close to obtaining) in a relevant branch of atmospheric or Earth System science. You will have proven experience in numerical programming along with excellent communication skills.
University Grade 7 (£30,424 - £36,298 p.a.)
Informal enquiries may be made to Paul Field, tel: +44 (0)139 288 4551, email: p.field(at)see.leeds.ac.uk
Closing Date: 22 May 2013
Research Fellow in Earth Observation
Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science
Ref: ENVEE0164
3 years fixed term from the 1st July 2013
You will work as a Research Fellow on the UK Natural Environment Research Council funded research programme, Antarctic Ice Sheet Stability (iSTAR-D). The overall aim is to assess ice losses from the Amundsen Sea sector of West Antarctica using satellite and ground-based measurements.
You will be involved in developing and synthesising satellite, airborne, and ground-based observations to produce an integrated assessment of ice sheet mass imbalance. Applicants with expertise in the use of satellite InSAR, satellite altimetry, or GRACE satellite gravimetry for studies of Earth geophysical processes are encouraged to apply. You will have the opportunity to participate in an overland traverse of the Pine Island Glacier, during which firn density and rock crustal motion measurements will be collected to reduce uncertainties in the satellite data. The iSTAR-D consortium is led by Professor Andy Shepherd at the University of Leeds, and involves several UK and international institutions. There will be considerable opportunity to develop scientific results within a research group that is active in satellite geodesy and glaciology.
You will have a PhD (or close to obtaining) in the physical sciences or a similar numerate subject and have experience of satellite data processing and experience in scientific programming and software development.
Information about the School of Earth and Environment can be found at http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk
Information about the iSTAR research programme can be found at http://blog.antarctica.ac.uk/istar/
University Grade 7 (£30,424 - £36,298 p.a.)
Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Andy Shepherd, tel +44 (0)113 343 9014, email a.shepherd(at)leeds.ac.uk
Closing Date: 20 May 2013
Research Fellow in Aerosol-cloud interactions
Job ref: ENVEE0163
Fixed term for 5 years
The University of Leeds has significant expertise in aerosol-cloud interactions ranging from laboratory work and observations through to modelling at the process and climate scale. The University of Leeds and the Met Office have developed an aerosol-cloud interacting model (UKCA-4a) capable of representing the evolution of cloud fields over large domains (~1000km). Using this tool they will advance understanding of the processes that control the response of cloud fields to changes in aerosol loadings. Parametrization approaches to encapsulate this knowledge required to improve coarse GCM climate predictions will be developed.
You will already be, or will rapidly become, an expert in the use and development of the UKCA-4a aerosol-cloud interaction model. You will also be involved in the exploration of relevant case studies and the proposal and testing of parametrization frameworks for representing aerosol-cloud interactions in coarser resolution models. Your close interaction with researchers at Leeds and the Met Office will ensure that successful research will aid in the development of operational weather and climate models.
You will have a PhD (or be close to obtaining one) in a relevant branch of atmospheric or Earth System science. You will also have proven experience in numerical programming, excellent communication skills and a high quality publication record.
You will be an exceptional scientist with the freedom to develop your own research goals within the core objectives of the group. You will also have the opportunity to write your own additional research funding proposals.
University Grade 7 (£30,424 - £36,298 p.a.)
Informal enquiries may be made to Paul Field, tel +44 (0)1392 884551, email p.field(at)see.leeds.ac.uk.
Closing Date: 21 May 2013
Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow in Energy/Ecological Economics
Job ref: ENVEE0161-1
Fixed term for 40 months starting 1 September 2013
You will join a Research Council centre called UK INDEMAND which is a five year initiative to reduce the UK‟s energy demand through changing our demand of materials and products across the whole supply chain (further information can be found in attachment 1). Within UK INDEMAND your primary role is to develop modelling capabilities in forecasting and scenario models to understand how fiscal and non-fiscal policies will change the UK‟s future energy demand through changing material and product demand. These policies will include demand-side measures such as pricing policies, standards targeted at carbon-intensive commodities and business-based measures along the supply chain. This will be building on our current historical models of the UK economy and understanding the possibility for energy intensity improvements, substitutability, demand side changes and establishing the cost effectiveness of these options. You will be responsible for leading on a number of high profile papers that present comprehensive scenarios of the UK‟s future emissions by changing patterns of material and product use.
You will be joining the research team of Professor John Barrett who has a long history in applied and policy relevant research in the field of sustainable consumption and production modelling and climate policy (further information can be found in attachment 2).
You will have a PhD (or close to obtaining a PhD for appointment at Grade 7) or equivalent relevant experience in a relevant discipline; e.g. Sustainable consumption and production, input-output modelling, energy economics, ecological economics, econometrics.
University Grade 7 (£30,424 - £36,298 p.a.) or University Grade 8 (£37,382 – £44,607 p.a.)
Informal enquiries may be made to Professor John Barrett, tel: +44 (0)113 343 2394, email: j.r.barrett(at)leeds.ac.uk
Closing Date: 12 May 2013
Research Fellow / Senior Research Fellow in the Governance of Sustainable Pathways
Job ref: ENVEE0161
Fixed term for 40 months starting 1 September 2013
Understand major shifts in governance systems and a practical appreciation of the underlying policies and frameworks and regimes for energy demand reduction
You will join a Research Council centre called UK INDEMAND which is a five year initiative to reduce the UK‟s energy demand through changing our demand of materials and products across the whole supply chain (further information can be found in attachment 1). Within UK INDEMAND your primary role is to understand the governance and institutions required to implement material efficiency and product demand policies in the UK, EU and internationally. This could involve applying a range of different methodological approaches such as agent-based modelling, network analysis, transitional and pathway analysis and /or co-evolutionally approaches to answer a complex question related to changing the use of products in industry and households.
You will have a problem-orientated approach to research as opposed to being devoted to the development of a specific methodology. You will have a strong desire to engage extensively with key stakeholders as well as working closely with the modellers in developing viable scenario narratives. This will result in an understanding of the levers, potential mechanisms, and feasibility of demand side tools and policies.
You will be joining the research team of Professor John Barrett who has a long history in applied and policy relevant research in the field of sustainable consumption and production modelling and climate policy (further information can be found in attachment 2).
You will have a PhD in a related area (or be close to obtaining a PhD for appointment at Grade 7) or equivalent relevant experience, demonstrating an interdisciplinary approach to problem orientated research.
University Grade 7 (£30,424 - £36,298 p.a.) or University Grade 8 (£37,382 – £44,607 p.a.)
Informal enquiries may be made to Professor John Barrett, tel: +44 (0)113 343 2394, email: j.r.barrett(at)leeds.ac.uk
Closing Date: 12 May 2013
Research Fellow in Material Flow Accounting and Input-output Analysis
Ref: ENVEE0160
Full or part-time, fixed term for 24 months starting 1 September 2013
You will join a Research Council centre called UK INDEMAND which is a five year initiative to reduce the UK’s energy demand through changing our demand of materials and products across the whole supply chain (see attachment 1 for further information). Within UK INDEMAND your primary role is to understand the key historical drivers of material and product consumption in the UK for the past 20 years. This will involve extending a predominately monetary-based input-output model with physical and energy data to develop an integrated hybrid model of the UK economy and its trading partners. You will have experience in managing and manipulating large datasets and be familiar with methods such as lifecycle, material flow and input-output analysis.
You will be joining the research team of Professor John Barrett who has a long history in applied and policy relevant research in the field of sustainable consumption and production modelling and climate policy (see attachment 2 for further information).
You will have a PhD (or be close to obtaining) or relevant experience in a relevant discipline; e.g. Sustainable consumption and production, input-output modelling, material flow accounting.
There are also two other posts currently advertised within this research group for a Research Fellow/Senior Research Fellow in the following areas:
University Grade 7 (£30,424 - £36,298 p.a.)
Informal enquiries may be made to Professor John Barrett, tel: +44 (0)113 343 2394, email j.r.barrett(at)leeds.ac.uk
Closing Date: 12 May 2013