Job Opportunity: Research Scientist (PROMOTE Project)
Location: School of Mathematical Physical and Computational Sciences, University of Reading
Salary: £36,130 – £40,497 per annum
Contract length: Fixed term (up to 30 months)
Contract type: Full time
Closing date: Sunday 22 June 2025
We seek to recruit a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to the development and evaluation of physical processes in our world-leading Earth System Model.
Your role will focus on improving the representation of the snow and ice albedo of the Greenland ice sheet in the land surface component (JULES) of the UK Earth System Model (UKESM). You will develop methods to account for the darkening effects of meltwater ponds, black carbon, and microbial activity on the ice sheet surface. You will also carry out JULES and UKESM simulations so that you can evaluate your improvements by comparing the simulations to observationally-derived data products. The uniquely sophisticated, interactive representation of ice sheets in UKESM means that this post is an opportunity to work at the forefront of cryospheric science in global Earth System modelling.
This position is part of a broader initiative to improve several key model components in UKESM – including the representation of the ice sheet, land/snow surface, and ocean processes – and is a key component of the PROMOTE project in the ARIA “Forecasting Tipping Points” programme. PROMOTE aims to improve our understanding of the risks and impacts of tipping of the Greenland ice sheet and the North Atlantic sub polar gyre.
In Reading, you will be part of the NCAS Climate and Ice Sheets group and will work with colleagues in the PROMOTE project team and other projects contributing to UKESM development across several NERC research centres and universities in the UK.
You will have:
- Knowledge in cryosphere surface processes and issues in polar climate change,
- Experience, at PhD (or soon to obtain PhD) or equivalent level, in a physical or environmental science,
- Significant skills in numerical modelling of physical systems using complex computer codes,
- Ability to write viable scientific publications, and ability to form effective working relationships.
Apply Now
To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:
Dr Charlotte Lang, Research Scientist