Research Scientist in Storm Nowcasting

Do you have a background in nowcasting, remote sensing or dynamics of deep convection, atmospheric dynamics, or a related field?

Do you want to further your career in the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities?

As part of the major new African Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (African-SWIFT) project an exciting opportunity has arisen for a scientist to lead research into developing science of deep moist convection for nowcasting in West and East Africa. The long-lived organised convective systems found in these regions, combined with very limited numerical weather prediction (NWP) skill, means there is an opportunity and need for improved nowcasting. This post will develop understanding of storm dynamics and predictability in order to improve nowcasts. The GCRF African-SWIFT project is a £7.8 million programme of research and capability building funded by Research Councils UK. The programme seeks to develop the science for sustainable African weather forecasting capability in order to enhance the livelihood of African populations and improve the economies of their countries. The post will be based in the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) at the University of Leeds and will be supervised by Dr John Marsham and Professor Alan Blyth. The role will involve working closely with scientists in the SWIFT Satellite Remote Sensing and Evaluation Work Packages, as well as researchers in other centres such as NCEO and the Met Office. Part of the role will involve training African scientists on how to use Nowcasting products and tools, providing mentoring to earlier career researchers in Africa. You will hold a PhD (or be close to completing) in a physical science. You will have a strong background in research, have excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills, communication skills, and an ability to effectively manage your own time. Your technical skills will allow you to run nowcasting software used operationally and develop this to provide a long-lived legacy of the project. A commitment to delivering project outputs that build capacity in partner countries is essential, as is willingness to travel to the region.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Dr John Marsham, Associate Professor, Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences Tel: +44 (0)113 343 6422, email: j.marsham@leeds.ac.uk