Ocean Adjoint Modeller – British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge

The British Antarctic Survey is inviting applications for an experienced ocean modeller with an excellent academic profile including a strong mathematical background and a track record of running ocean or coupled-climate models on high-performance computing facilities and interpreting the results. Direct experience of models based on the MITgcm and/or experience of setting up and using adjoint models would be considered a significant advantage.

This is a 36 month (or equivalent part time) position for a suitably qualified postdoctoral researcher and will contribute to two projects funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC): ORCHESTRA (Ocean regulation of climate by Heat and Carbon sequestration and Transports), and SMURPHS (Securing Multidisciplinary UndeRstanding and Prediction of Hiatus and Surge events). These projects both require high-resolution adjoint ocean models in the Southern Ocean region based on the MITgcm to be implemented on the UK’s supercomputer ARCHER.

The postholder will need to demonstrate that they have training/experience in implementing closely related modelling initiatives on the same or very similar computing infrastructures. Within the ORCHESTRA project (66% of the post), the adjoint models will be used to test the sensitivity of the Southern Ocean heat uptake and subduction/export to various physical surface forcing effects (wind, buoyancy etc.) as well as test the influence of model setup on the obtained results. The postholder will use this output to inform likely perturbation experiments of regional forward model runs in other elements of ORCHESTRA.

The SMURPHS project (33% of the post) will make use of the same or similar adjoint to investigate the role of the Southern Ocean overturning circulation in mediating global ocean/atmosphere heat exchange, and specifically its role in climate ‘hiatuses’ both past and present.

Any successful candidate will need a strong mathematical background and a track-record of delivering high-quality scientific results and disseminating them in leading journals, and at national and international conferences.

Purpose

The post is attached to the ORCHESTRA and SMURPHS projects, both of which require high-resolution adjoint ocean models of the Southern Ocean to be implemented on the UK’s supercomputer ARCHER. The postholder will need to demonstrate that they have previous experience in implementing similar, though not necessarily adjoint, modelling initiatives on the same or very similar computing infrastructures.

Within the ORCHESTRA project, the adjoint models will be used to explore the impact of surface forcing on the subduction/obduction of heat and carbon between the ocean mixed layer and interior. This will be achieved by defining cost functions within the subducting water masses and mixed layer and identifying the impact, regionality and timescales of changes in surface forcing. Results will be fed through to other groups within ORCHESTRA to inform forward forcing runs. SMURPHS work will be similar, but emphasis will be on examining how different atmospheric states may drive enhanced/reduced heat uptake and consequently lead to changes in global surface temperatures/warming.

Qualification

• PhD in ocean/climate dynamics or equivalent postgraduate experience

Duties

• Implement adjoint ocean models of the Southern Ocean on the UK’s supercomputer ARCHER
• Carry out simulations with the adjoint models in support of the objectives of the ORCHESTRA and SMURPHS projects
• Attend ORCHESTRA/SMURPHS project meetings and engage with associated project partners to deliver the project objectives
• Lead high-quality publications resulting from the projects

We welcome applications from all sections of the community. People from ethnic minorities are currently under-represented and their applications are particularly welcome.